BORDER ON ALERT FOR DRUG LORDS

Federal immigration officials are on the lookout for wealthy Colombian drug
lords who might be on their way here to avoid arrest by that country's new
hardline government.

Senior department officials have compiled a classified-country profile on
Colombia that warns visa officers abroad how to detect cartel bosses
involved in cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

"Possible link with narcotics trafficking and money laundering represents
one of the main concerns," states the profile, which was obtained by Quebec
immigration lawyer Richard Kurland and forwarded to The Sun.

The drug bosses require visas to come here as businessmen or landed
immigrants. Some manage to arrive as refugee claimants. More than 1,500
Colombians have filed refugee claims in the first six months of this year.
Last year there were 1,850 claimants from Colombia.

Canadian visa officers in Bogota said the drug barons are fleeing to escape
arrest by newly elected Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who has vowed to
deal with those involved in corruption and coke cartels.

The profile warned Colombians will flee here because of worsening economic
conditions and increased fighting between guerrillas and drug smugglers.

"Several sectors of the economy, real estate and construction are conduits
for drug-sourced funds," the profile stated.

The document enlists visa officers to conduct in-depth probes into the
wealth of applicants and conduct background criminal checks with more than
one police agency.

Immigration spokesman Susan Scarlett said officers abroad are vigilant in
working to keep undesirables out of Canada.