WHAT THE JUDGE SAID ABOUT BORDER SEARCHES

There have been excellent letters to the editor that commented
cogently on the inappropriate decision to throw out a serious
smuggling case involving 55 kilos of cocaine for the sake of a
relatively minor technical issue. It was applied for the sake of an
accused criminal's "right" to some bizarre concept of "privacy,"
which he simply does not have under the circumstances of a
legitimate, reasonable border search.

Does the judge not understand the consequences of requiring a search
warrant from a justice of the peace, who would be busier than a
switchboard operator during some disaster? How many border guards
would be deterred from searching a vehicle by such an unreasonable
requirement? What about the incredible delays for everyone at every
border crossing? Or the many successes of smugglers?

Let the case be appealed and better sense prevail.

Terry Hilmar

New Westminster