(Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Alberta taking action to prevent illegal crossing, drug trafficking at border

Dec 12, 2024 | 9:53 AM

The Alberta government is taking action to curb illegal activities at the Canada-U.S. border in the southern part of the province.

A new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) within the Alberta Sheriffs 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.

Premier Danielle Smith says, “We cannot take concerns about border security lightly. By establishing this new team of sheriffs at our southern border, we are actively working to address security concerns and stop the criminals whose activities are destroying lives on both sides of the border.”

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

The team will patrol the border, aiming to detect and seize illicit drugs, illegal firearms and unlawful attempts at illegal border crossing.

Additionally, the government says a two kilometre critical border zone, deemed as critical infrastructure, will be created. The zone will enable the sheriffs to arrest people trying to cross the border illegally or attempting to traffic illegal drugs or weapons, without needing a warrant.

Bob Andrews, Chief of Alberta Sheriffs says, “Stemming illegal cross-border activities at the source prevents their spread to the rest of the province later on, and the Alberta Sheriffs are proud to step up and take on this important role.”

Smith says the new IPT will be in place in early 2025.

The border zone will not apply to people travelling legally along Alberta highways and roads.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.