Home Programs Law enforcement Canada-U.S. border security IBET

Integrated Border Enforcement Teams

The Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBET) are multi-agency law enforcement teams that target cross-border criminal activity. There are IBETs operating in all regions, on land and sea, along the border. The importance of IBETs has been heightened by the new reality of terrorism and the need to enhance border integrity. The operational model is a partnership where information-sharing is used to stay one step ahead of criminals and terrorists.

Originally developed in 1996 as an innovative method to address cross-border crime along land and marine borders between British Columbia and Washington State, IBETs have evolved into a major enforcement success. IBETs have effectively disrupted smuggling rings, confiscated illegal drugs, weapons, liquor, tobacco and vehicles, and made numerous arrests. IBETs have also intercepted criminal networks attempting to smuggle illegal migrants across the border.

Partners

PSEPC works with its partners to develop policies for IBETs. There are five core partner agencies involved:

• Canada Border Services Agency
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Additional partners include municipal and provincial governments and law enforcement agencies.

Regions

IBETs operate in the following 15 regions along the Canada-U.S. border:

British Columbia
Pacific Region (Vancouver)
Okanagan Region (Kelowna)

Alberta
Rocky Mountain Region (Raymond)

Saskatchewan
Prairie Region (Estevan)

Manitoba
Red River Region (Altona, Boissevain)

Ontario
Superior Region (Thunder Bay)
Sault Ste. Marie Region (Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie)
Detroit/Windsor Region (Windsor)
Niagara Region (Niagara Falls)
Thousand Islands Region (Kingston)
St. Lawrence Valley Central Region (Cornwall)

Quebec
Valleyfield Region (Valleyfield)
Champlain Region (Lacolle)
Eastern Region (Stanstead, St. Georges de Beauce)

Atlantic provinces
Atlantic Region (Yarmouth, NS; Woodstock, St. Stephen and St. Leonard, NB)