The Police From Two Countries Meet To
Conspire Against The Liberties Of Their Citizens.
No, of course, they don’t think of it that
way. There are certainly legitimate law enforcement concerns raised here, but the workings
of prohibition, the economics of contraband and the ideology supporting it will result in
just that. It is far easier to suppress marijuana than hard drugs, so this will aggravate
the situation and require bigger budgets, more police power and lot’s more great
trips to Vancouver. Prohibition works! From the Vancouver Sun
sunletters@pacpress.southam.ca
U.S.-B.C. DRUG SMUGGLING SPARKS PROBE
February 9, 1998
By Marina Jimenez
Drug smuggling across the B.C.-United States border has become such a serious problem
that politicians and police from both countries will soon meet to discuss how to control
Canada's most vulnerable section, B.C.'s attorney-general said Sunday.
Ujjal Dosanjh and Christine Gregoire, attorney-general for Washington state, will set
up a meeting with top police officials, they announced during a meeting of 10
attorneys-general and justice ministers from Western Canada and western U.S. states.
``It is a very serious problem for us,'' Dosanjh said during a break in the meeting.
``There are over 300 overdose deaths a year in British Columbia and I understand the
problems are increasing in Washington state as well.''
The meeting of high-level officials will take place sometime over the next few weeks in
Washington, where drug-related deaths are on the rise.
``The border county prosecutor told me there is a new strain of heroin and coke of a
magnitude that we've not seen before,'' said Gregoire.
B.C. and Washington officials hope to devise a strategy to ensure they're not exporting
their problems, allowing drugs and criminals to slip across the border.
Gregoire believes heroin and cocaine are coming into Washington state from Vancouver,
while Dosanjh said it's his understanding the drugs are coming the other way.
``However, as you know, the Vancouver port is now known for drug smuggling . . . it may
be that it hits here first and then goes back to the U.S.,'' he added.
Police recently reported that the Hells Angels motorcycle gang has infiltrated
Vancouver's container port and helped turn it into a major North American entry point for
illegal drugs.
The other trend officials discussed is the migration of U.S.
marijuana growers into B.C., where they're setting up hydroponic operations and then
taking their product back south.
``I have been advised by police sources that marijuana growing operations are under
the control of biker gangs and organized crime and the crop is then shipped into the
U.S.,'' said Dosanjh.
Dosanjh, Gregoire and other officials also discussed Internet crime -- including
gambling and child pornography -- telemarketing fraud, and lottery sales.
``Those who would commit telemarketing fraud and other types of crime don't know the
border,'' said Gregoire, who noted that recently B.C. and Washington worked together to
stop a major B.C. telemarketing racket that bilked Washingtonians of several million
dollars.
``I'm ashamed to say that British Columbia jurisdiction is being utilized by
perpetrators of fraud of vulnerable, elderly citizens of the United States of America, of
our neighbors,'' Dosanjh said.
The ministers held a closed session Sunday with no staff or outsiders present in order
to have candid talks, said Dosanjh.
Ministers from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon, Oregon, Idaho,
North Dakota, Nevada and Alaska also attended .
Supported