Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs)
Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an IBET?
• What agencies represent the IBET core partners?
• Why were IBETs created?
• Did the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States have an impact on the expansion of IBETs initiative?
• What are the benefits of IBETs?
• How are IBETs contributing to border integrity and Canada’s national security?
• What specific areas along the border do IBETs target?
• If I suspect there is illegal activity taking place at or between the “Ports of Entry”, who should I contact?

Q1: What is an IBET?

A1: IBET is an integrated bi-national law enforcement team involving agencies from both Canada and the United States. The team analyzes and responds to information gathered from a collection of border agencies pertaining to illegal cross border activity.

Through these intelligence-led partnerships, IBETs has the ability to focus on targeting national security, organized crime and other border related criminal activities.

There are currently 23 teams located in 15 IBET regions along the Canada/US border.

Q2: What agencies represent the IBET core partners?

A2: There are currently five core IBETs agencies: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Customs Border Protection/Border Patrol(CBP/BP) and the US Coast Guard (USCG).

Q3: Why were IBETs created?

A3: While Canadian and American enforcement agencies have worked together over the years on joint investigations or incidents involving the border, it was not until the mid-to late 1990s that a new era emerged in which both countries made more concerted efforts towards officially partnering to enhance border integrity.

The first IBETs initiative developed near Chilliwack in British Columbia between the RCMP, US Border Patrol and US Customs Service. By listening to the concerns from communities residing along the border, as well as to the problems faced by all levels of policing services, the first IBET was created focusing on critical smuggling issues.

IBETs continued to succeed in British Columbia and gained a reputation as an effective method in managing border enforcement issues. Between 1996 and 1999 the IBETs concept grew from 2 to 20 individuals from 4 separate law enforcement agencies located on both sides of the border. On April 2001, the concept was officially formalized through public safety and anti-terrorism funding from the Government of Canada.

Q4: Did the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States have an impact on the expansion of IBETs initiative?

A4: Yes. As you can imagine, the tragic events of September 11th changed the face of national security for both Canada and the US and, as a result, an even greater emphasis on border integrity developed.

While IBETs was fully sanctioned by Canadian and American federal governments in April 2001, its expansion was officially mandated in the Smart Border Declaration announced on December 21, 2001.

This declaration was developed as a result of both governments recognition of the need to further collaborate our countries forces to increase border integrity.

Q5: What are the benefits of IBETs?

A5: These teams enhance and complement existing security and safe trade measures by helping to ensure a secure border that is seamless and maintaining the free flow of goods, people and services between Canada and the US.

Some of the benefits recognized and acknowledged are:

• less bureaucratic “red tape”.
• more open lines of communication between Canadian and American government and law enforcement agencies.
• improved working relationships and intelligence sharing between agencies that may have in the past worked independently and in isolation from one another.
• Increased sharing of human, financial and equipment resources among partner agencies.
• Establishing new technical capabilities, including joint radio systems for interoperability, improved information analysis and sharing between law enforcement partners and modern technology at remote crossings.

Q6: How are IBETs contributing to border integrity and Canada’s national security?

A6: The initial success and effectiveness of IBETs was evident from the very beginning. Between 1996 and 1999 IBETs grew from 2 to 20 individuals from 4 separate law enforcement agencies. This growth resulted in seizures ranging from $750,000 in 1996 to a 500% increase in 1997 and a further 300% increase in 1998 to over $10M dollars in combined seized contraband.

At the time, US Customs Service reported an 800% increase in seizures at the Ports of Entry and the US Border Patrol reported a 600% increase in arrest and seizures between the Ports of Entry. This success continues today with the expansion of the IBETs concept to 23 strategic locations all based on bi-national partnerships, information sharing and greater cooperation.

Since their inception, IBETs have identified a number of national security cases, disrupted organized crime activities, confiscated drugs, weapons, tobacco, and intercepted criminal networks attempting to smuggle illegal migrants both into Canada and into the United States.

Q7: What specific areas along the border do IBETs target?

A7: While IBETs units focus on areas “between the Ports of Entry” they work closely with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) personnel at the “Ports of Entry”.

The area IBETs cover is vast which requires the teams to be mobile and operate in strategically chosen locations based on investigative priorities targeted through information and intelligence sharing.

The Canada/US shared border spans about 6,400 kilometres from the east coast to the west coast, including 2,878 km of land and 3,538 km of water.

In addition to this common shared boundary, the two countries share a northern border between the Yukon and Alaska, which is about 2,475 kilometres, including 2,183 km of land and 292 km of water from Pacific to Arctic oceans.

Q8: If I suspect there is illegal activity taking place at or between the “Ports of Entry”, who should I contact?

A8: If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity please contact your local police force of jurisdiction to report the activity. In addition, you can report suspicious activity by sending an e-mail to: IBETS_NCT@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

You may also call the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

Remember, do not take the law into your own hands or get involved in any illegal activities. Thank you.