Oregon Public Broadcasting

The line between British Columbia and Washington State is getting blurred temporarily.  It’s part of an experiment to allow Canadian and U.S. officers to pursue maritime smugglers across the border.  Correspondent Tom Banse has more.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty officer Shaun Eggert agrees few things are more frustrating than to break off the pursuit of a suspected smuggler just because the boat crosses an invisible line in the water.  So an experiment is underway. 

During the months of August and September, Canadian Mounties are onboard a couple American Coast Guard boats and about ten U.S. officers are riding along with Canadian patrols.

Shaun Eggert: “So this would give them the ability to go over the Canadian border and pursue that suspect vessel; board them as well.”

With officers of two nationalities at hand, a smuggler can be arrested no matter where the chase ends.

Shaun Eggert: “It’s a lot more difficult for the bad guys to get away.”

Eggert says the results of the pilot project will be sent to Washington, D.C. next month for a verdict on whether to repeat or expand the cross-border policing.

Another Homeland Security spokesman explains waterborne smugglers are moving contraband in both directions -- items like marijuana, ecstasy, guns and cash.