BELLINGHAM, Wash., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- The United States is deploying new aircraft and marine surveillance and security units along its western border with Canada, with more planned to the east.
A sensor-laden aircraft, a Blackhawk helicopter and boats will operate out of a new command center in Bellingham, Wash., 15 miles south of Vancouver, said Gary Bracken, spokesman for the Air and Marine Operations.
"Along the (Canadian) border we are also faced with the smuggling of migrants, weapons, currency in both directions, as well as the possibility of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction crossing the border using traditional smuggling routes," he said.
British Columbia is also known to produce large amounts of marijuana.
The surveillance will cover approximately 250 miles of the border, known as the longest undefended border in the world.
Another command center will open by the end of the year in Plattsburg, N.Y., and over the next two years, more centers are expected to be put in place in Montana, North Dakota and Michigan, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.
