The Drug Trade Between The U.S. And Canada -- Drug war's Second Front

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Canada Border Is Drug War's Second Front -- Washington Times

More agents to fight spike in trafficking.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. | The world's longest undefended border: It's a catchy yet increasingly imprecise term for the U.S.-Canada frontier, as authorities on both sides ratchet up efforts to curb bustling traffic in illegal drugs and guns.

The U.S. Border Patrol has tripled the number of agents along the 5,500-mile stretch in recent years, with hundreds more soon to be deployed. Unmanned U.S. surveillance aircraft are being tested for use over the frontier, and video surveillance towers are going up around Buffalo and Detroit. Multi-agency, binational law enforcement teams operate in 15 regions from coast to coast.

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My Comment: I live north of Montreal in the Laurentians .... my Police friends estimate that 1 in 5 homes in the region have a grow-op in their basement (electricity is very cheap in Quebec).

I also have a farm (a few hundred acres) in the Eastern Townships (I grow grapes for Ice Wine). To find a small marijuana garden on my property is a common occurrence .... and an annoying one because I do not want any headaches from law enforcement.

Distribution to the United States occurs mainly through the Indian reservations .... which on the Canadian side has minimal law enforcement presence.

Estimated value of drugs exported to the U.S. .... journalists/law enforcement easily put it into the billions .... and this is just marijuana in Quebec on the Canadian side. Forget abut BC Bud .... Quebec produces more indoor marijuana than BC .... and its reputation is (apparently) even better.

Is there a problem .... you betcha. Can it get worse .... it has been a terrible situation for years.

Is it a drug war .... Montreal experienced a drug war that claimed the lives of almost 160 gang members in a few years. Bombs were the weapons of choice .... and I lost count on how many exploded during this time.

Should the U.S. clamp down ... I hope they do because law enforcement here .... and punishment when caught .... is completely lacking.