• Evening Magazine
  • :
  • Up Front
  • :
  • Ciscoe
  • :
  • NW Backroads
  • :
  • :
  • Member Center
  • :
  • Offers
KING Web  



KING 5 on Twitter
KING 5 on Facebook
   
CurrentlyDopplerLive Cams
67°
Mostly Cloudy
Forecast | 5-day | Closings/Delays | Traffic Report

Dicks: Drug smuggling is main concern at Wash.-B.C. border

05:40 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 8, 2006

KING 5 Staff and Wire Reports

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Congressman Norm Dicks says the U.S. northern border deserves as much attention as the southern border because of drug smuggling.

U.S. House subcommittee members on security visited the Peace Arch Port of Entry to discuss operations with customs and border patrol officials.

KING photo

Canadian border crossing at Blaine, Wash.

While immigration is the main issue at the Mexican border, Dicks said drug smuggling is the main concern for the Canadian border. He said Tuesday's hearing is one of a series that will help determine what immigration and border patrol agencies need.

One customs inspector, Gregory Johnson, said an issue that concerns border agents is a staffing shortage. He said they feel rushed to clear traffic backups and therefore don't always have time to question drivers.

Lawmakers also raised the issue of using National Guard troops to patrol the borders.

The adjutant general of Washington says it should not be a standing mission for the National Guard, that it's only a temporary solution.

Advertisement


Most Recommended

Most Commented


Marketplace
Used cars | Advice
Sell a car
Find a dealer
½ Price Deals
Buy ½ price
certificates here
Fresh Ideas with Leigh Ann
Fabulous summertime recipes
»All recipes
Looking for a great local job or a great local employee?
»Click here to search
Use our home search
or condo map
»Find a home
»Explore new condos