Black Hawk helicopters are now being used to search for drug smugglers and illegal immigrants at border crossings in Alberta. (Photo: RCMP)

By David Opinko

RCMP highlights recent border incursions, including two at Coutts

Feb 5, 2025 | 3:17 PM

Border security and police officers in Canada say they have dealt with a trio of incidents lately at the international border.

Alberta RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland used Wednesday’s news conference to highlight the steps taken to strengthen border security.

She also issued a warning to anybody who is planning to cross the border into Canada illegally.

“We have seen first-hand heartbreaking situations where the lives of adults and children have been lost in an attempt at crossing the border. To anyone who is thinking about crossing the border – don’t. You’re putting your life at risk and you should not attempt under any circumstances,” says Moreland.

Coutts Incident #1

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At approximately 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Moreland says a man tried to enter Canada at the Coutts border crossing in southern Alberta.

He was asked to pull aside for a secondary inspection but allegedly fled.

CBSA officers informed the RCMP Integrated Border Enforcement Team and Lethbridge Police Service (LPS), who all began a joint investigation.

The suspect was located in Raymond in their vehicle, but reportedly failed to stop.

“The suspect drove into Lethbridge and then travelled to Raymond, at which time, the driver was seen holding what appeared to be a firearm,” says Moreland.

The RCMP used a tire deflation device near Milk River, which stopped the vehicle in its tracks.

Moreland says officers, along with K9s, pursued the suspect on foot into a field.

The man reportedly shot himself and died at the scene.

“This event speaks to the dangers our officers and CBSA officers face at the border. It also shows just how quickly we can respond to our border when events of this nature occur,” Moreland added.

Coutts Incident #2

On Monday, February 3, at approximately 6:15 a.m., the CBSA was notified by U.S. Border Patrol that a potential border incursion was taking place near the Coutts crossing.

RCMP officers say they found nine people, including four adults and five children, attempting to enter Canada on foot while carrying suitcases.

The nine people were arrested under the Customs Act and were processed by the CBSA.

Manitoba Incident

Moreland also highlighted one recent event at a border crossing in Manitoba.

At 7:30 p.m. on January 14, 2025, she says six people tried to walk into Canada approximately 15 km east of Emerson.

An RCMP plane equipped with thermal imaging was patrolling the border at the time. The six people were quickly spotted and ground-based officers were informed.

A team of RCMP members searched for the group in the nearby forest and arrested them.

“When our members did approach these individuals, they were not prepared for the Canadian weather,” says Moreland. “They did not have hats, gloves, mitts, or anything we would normally see in a Canadian winter.”

The six people were arrested and transferred to the CBSA.

Actions to Strengthen Border Security

The Governments of Alberta and Canada have announced a series of initiatives over the last couple of months, aimed at securing the international border.

In December, Premier Danielle Smith announced a new Interdiction Patrol Team that consists of:

• 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
• Four narcotics analyzers to test for illicit drugs

The federal government also promised a $1.3 billion border security package that would expand the number of people, helicopters and drones used to monitor the border.

Black Hawk helicopters began their patrols along the Alberta-Montana border in late January, and that same day, Smith called for the border to be closed as a means of stopping U.S. President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.

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