Publisher's Synopsis
Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operating on both sides of the United States and Canada border are exploiting the international boundary to move proceeds from illegal drugs sold in the United States and Canada and to transport drugs such as marijuana, Ecstasy, meth, and cocaine between the two countries. The border is the longest border between two countries in the world, spanning 5,225 miles. The United States and Canada recognize that the threat from TCOs is a threat to regional security and stability of both countries. To increase each country's individual security and economic vitality, the United States and Canada must appropriately plan, train, and act together to address threats at the earliest point possible and work toward optimizing joint border management goals. On February 4, 2011, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper articulated this understanding of shared responsibility for our security in Beyond the Border: A Joint Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness (BTB) which, among other things, confirms that the United States and Canada are "staunch allies, vital economic partners, and steadfast friends." BTB identifies four key areas of cooperation through which Canada and the United States can "pursue a perimeter approach to security, working together within, at, and away from the borders of our two countries." The key areas of cooperation are: Addressing Threats Early; Trade Facilitation, Economic Growth, and Jobs; Integrated Cross-border Law Enforcement; and Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity. Through integrated cross-border law enforcement, the United States and Canada will build upon existing relationships, programs, and policies; seek further opportunities to pursue national security by disrupting transnational criminal organizations; and improve our information sharing, allowing us to use our resources more efficiently and effectively to curb the flow of illegal narcotics and money across the Northern border. This document, the 2012 National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy (Strategy), articulates the U.S. framework for the ongoing efforts to reduce the threats on both sides of the border and is guided by the following strategic goal and five strategic objectives: 1. Enhance intelligence and information-sharing capabilities and processes associated with the Northern border; 2. Interdict illicit drugs and illicit drug proceeds at and between the ports of entry along the Northern border; 3. Interdict illicit drugs and illicit drug proceeds in the air and maritime domains along the Northern border; 4. Enhance counterdrug efforts and cooperation with tribal governments along the Northern border; and 5. Disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating along the Northern border
