cannabisnews.com: U.S. Beefs Up B.C. Checkpoint





U.S. Beefs Up B.C. Checkpoint
Posted by CN Staff on August 21, 2004 at 07:45:39 PT
By Jane Armstrong
Source: Globe and Mail 
Bellingham, Wash. -- The Blackhawk helicopter hovered over the Pacific Ocean, its pilot pointing out the coves and bays preferred by drug dealers when they bring their wares from Canada.At Birch Bay, less than 10 kilometres south of the border, the pilot dived for a closer view at the scene of a drug bust last month in which custom agents in a boat retrieved $200,000 (U.S.) from the water and arrested two Canadians after intercepting what they say was an exchange of money for drugs.
U.S. Customs helicopter pilot Mitch Pribble repeated the story again and again yesterday for the benefit of Canadian and American reporters invited on flights up and down the coast from this university town about 40 kilometres south of the Canadian border. The purpose was to explain why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will pour millions of dollars into equipment and personnel at five border crossings with Canada over the next four years to improve security.The first command centre will be at Bellingham, where the price tag for staff and equipment is $85-million.U.S. Immigration and Customs made the announcement last week, citing intelligence that says the world's longest undefended border is too porous and poses a threat to U.S. security."Intelligence indicates there is a threat there [in Canada] that needs to be responded to, so we're providing the air and marine capability to respond to that, in support of both U.S. and Canadian authorities," said Gary Bracken, communications director for the U.S. Office of Air and Marine Operations.Mr. Bracken cited concerns about illegal immigrants, terrorists and drugs.It's no surprise that the first border reinforcements will be at British Columbia, long a sore point for U.S. law enforcers. It was from B.C. that convicted terrorist Ahmed Ressam attempted to enter the United States in 1999 in a car containing explosive material. In terms of drugs, last year a record 2,100 kilograms of B.C.-grown marijuana entered the United States.The Bellingham command centre was unveiled yesterday at a ceremony at the airport. The next post will be opened in Plattsburgh, N.Y., south of Montreal and the subsequent three will be in Montana, North Dakota and Michigan.At Bellingham, U.S. Customs will add two helicopters, including the Black Hawk, as well a patrol plane and boat. Mr. Pribble said the Blackhawk is a huge asset because it can chase and intercept aircraft as well as ground vehicles.The addition of the Black Hawk, a U.S. troop-carrying helicopter with a range of 400 kilometres, raised some eyebrows in British Columbia this week, leaving some to wonder if the helicopters would be leading sorties into Canadian air space.The U.S. says that won't happen and will continue to co-operate with Canadian law enforcement agencies.To drive home that point during the demonstration flight, the swooping helicopter stopped dead in its tracks as the red Maple Leaf that is emblazoned on the lawn at the border crossing came into view.The aircraft made a sharp left turn over the Pacific and headed home again.The border reinforcements have received favourable reviews in the United States.In Canada, the reaction has been more skeptical.Political scientist Michael Byers said he thinks the move was timed to make the Bush administration appear tough on security in the last months before the November U.S. elections. Mr. Byers, who teaches at the University of British Columbia, said the extra security isn't necessary."I don't think the threat from Canada is anywhere close to what many Americans believe it to be," said Mr. Byers, who just returned to Canada this month after teaching several years at Duke University in North Carolina."There is a misperception of the risk posed by the Canadian border," he said.University of Victoria political scientist Reg Whitaker said the new measures have the whiff of overkill."There really has never been much of an issue about people slipping across mountain passes [into the United States]. My guess is there is a lot of showcasing going on, just so Congressman X doesn't jump up and say: Nothing is being done about the Canadian border."But you sort of wonder, given how low the threat of illegal crossings there are, compared to the Mexican border -- how much payoff would there be." Note: Homeland Security plans to strengthen monitoring at other border crossings.Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: Jane ArmstrongPublished: Saturday, August 21, 2004 - Page A5Copyright: 2004 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmWorld's Undefended Border Getting Securityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19357.shtmlTight Border a Low Note for The High Tradehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19230.shtml Canada's Pot Exports Overstated: RCMPhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19206.shtml 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on August 27, 2004 at 09:53:33 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press
New Surveillance Base Coming To Great FallsAugust 27, 2004HELENA (AP) -- The Department of Homeland Security will use a temporary base in Great Falls to begin short-term surveillance of the Canadian border next month, Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Friday. The preliminary patrol will be followed by a permanent Air and Marine Branch in Great Falls at a future date, Burns said in a written statement. Last week, federal customs and immigration officials dedicated the first of five such bases slated for regular flights to look for drug runners and others crossing the Canadian border illegally. The first base opened in Bellingham, Wash.  
The new bases, which will dot the border from Washington state to upstate New York, are a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as well as smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs, including British Columbia's potent strains of marijuana. A second station in Plattsburgh, N.Y., is scheduled to open by the end of the year, followed by bases near Detroit, Grand Forks, N.D., and Great Falls. Details of the permanent branch in Great Falls have not yet been worked out, but Burns said he planned to meet with Border and Transportation Security Director Asa Hutchinson to discuss specifics. Possible sites for the base include Great Falls International Airport or Malmstrom Air Force Base, Burns spokesman J.P. Donovan said.Copyright: 2004 Associated Presshttp://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/08/27/build/state/23-homeland-security.inc
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Comment #4 posted by john wayne on August 24, 2004 at 00:11:12 PT
the money in my wallet
says that government inderdiction efforts will be for naught.Capitalism in action!
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on August 21, 2004 at 13:44:38 PT
Tunnels will be next.
How Deep?
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Comment #2 posted by siege on August 21, 2004 at 12:53:50 PT
 Bellingham
The Bellingham base initially have only enough money to operate flights about eight hours a day."Our greatest asset right now is they don't know when we're going to be operating,"
{{{set on the Canadian side with a comecial fish boat with a small 250 mile range Rador and watch the show and know everything.}}} HOOO did I give up something.
Black Hawk, as well a patrol plane and boat. Mr. Pribble said the Blackhawk is a huge asset because it can chase and intercept aircraft as well as ground vehicles. 
TOP SPEED OF HAWK
              ARMY FACT FILE
 	         
                                                               
             UH-60A        UH-60
Mass gross weight: 	20,250 lbs 	22,000 lbs, 23,500 (external cargo)
Cruise speed: 	139 kt 	         150 kt
Endurance: 	2.3 hrs 	     2.1 hrs
Max range: 	320 nm 	         306 nm
External load: 	8000 lbs 	     9000 lbs
Internal load: 	2640 lbs (or 11 combat-equipped troops)
Crew: 	4 (2 pilots; 2 crew chiefs)
Armament: ========Two 7.62mm machine guns
where are the rockets it had 2 banks R-6 L-6 
139kt = abt 156-7mph 150kt =abt 169 mph this is what they want you to know try abt 250 kt. that was nam 1963-1966
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on August 21, 2004 at 07:51:31 PT
Related Article from The Associated Press
Homeland Security Monitors Canada BorderBy Gene Johnson, Associated Press WriterAugust 21, 2004BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- As part of a dramatic boost in surveillance of the Canadian border, federal officials Friday dedicated the first of five planned bases for regular flights to look for drug runners and others crossing illegally by air or land. The Bellingham Air Marine Branch is to have a staff of nearly 70, two helicopters, an airplane and a high-speed boat by year's end. Similar bases have policed the Mexican border for three decades, but the new facility is the first on the Canadian border. The five new bases, which will dot the border from Washington state to upstate New York, are a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as well as smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs, including British Columbia's potent strains of marijuana. Similar bases have policed the Mexican border for three decades. "Smuggling is a two-way street," said Michael Milne, spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, part of the Department of Homeland Security. "We've got cocaine and money going north, B.C. bud and human smuggling coming south." A second station in Plattsburgh, N.Y., is scheduled by the end of the year, Milne said, followed by bases near Detroit; Grand Forks, N.D.; and Great Falls, Mont. The Bellingham base initially have only enough money to operate flights about eight hours a day. "Our greatest asset right now is they don't know when we're going to be operating," said Mitch Pribble, a pilot and associate field director for the office. The aircraft will allow agents to track suspicious flights where the pilot doesn't report to customs or talk on the radio. Federal pilots will follow such aircraft or direct agents on the ground. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Congress earmarked $35.2 million in the current fiscal year to get the Bellingham station up and running. "I feel like the northern border is finally getting its due," Murray said. Copyright: 2004 The Associated Press 
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