The Temptations of Open Borders

The delicate balance between keeping our borders secure from terrorists and stifling free trade has spurred the U.S., Canada and Mexico to enter into joint agreements allowing registered "low-risk" individuals and trucking companies to cross the borders with reduced delay. Most of the time, these "frequent crosser" programs work very well, but sometimes, the temptations to be bad are just too good.

Trouble to the North: A Canadian participant in the NEXUS easy border crossing program was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on November 19 at the Peace Arch port of entry in Blaine, Washington attempting to bring over 93,000 ecstasy tablets into the United States. The suspect was a NEXUS-registered, daily commuter into the U.S. via the special rapid border crossing lane.

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened, photo-identified low risk travelers to cross the U.S.-Canadian border with little or no delay at high volume border crossing locations.

Trouble to the South: A Mexican trucker registered in the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on November 19 at the Calexico, California border crossing attempting to bring 17,701.07 pounds (about 9 tons), of marijuana valued at about $67,264,000 into the United States. The marijuana, sniffed out by a canine officer, was concealed in an 18-wheeler manifested as carrying flat screen TVs.

The FAST program is a border crossing agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada designed to ensure security and safety of trans-border commercial shipments, while enhancing economic prosperity of both countries. Once registered, FAST participants receive expedited border processing at cargo ports of entry.

So in summary: 93,000 ecstasy tablets and 9 tons of marijuana. A big day on the NAFTA Superhighway?

Also See:
House Bucks Bush on Mexican Trucking Access
DOT to Track Mexican and U.S. Trucks in Real-Time
Bush to Build NAFTA Superhighway? (Liberal Politics)
U.S. Regional Trade Agreements, Including NAFTA (US Economy)