Alberta’s government is taking swift action that will curb illegal border activities and strengthen the nation’s border security. New measures will immediately crack down on illegal migrants and drug trafficking across the border.
A new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) will crack down on drug smuggling, gun trafficking and other illegal activities occurring along Alberta’s 298-kilometre international boundary. IPT will be supported by:
- 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles (weapons for tactical operations);
- 10 support staff, including dispatchers and analysts;
- four drug patrol dogs, critical to ensure reasonable suspicion to search vehicles;
- 10 cold weather surveillance drones that can operate in high winds with dedicated pilots; and
- four narcotics analyzers to test for illicit drugs.
This team will patrol to detect and intercept illicit drugs, illegal firearms and unlawful attempts at illegal international border crossing.
Alberta’s government will also create a two kilometre-deep critical border zone, deemed critical infrastructure, to enable the Alberta Sheriffs to arrest individuals found attempting to cross the border illegally or attempting to traffic illegal drugs or weapons, without needing a warrant.
In other words, “Don’t Mess with Texas Alberta.”
