Smuggling Has Always Been With Us

International borders, it seems, are an invitation to smugglers of humans and goods. You know, build it and they will come.

Certainly, the international waters between Victoria and Washington State, primarily those of the San Juan and Gulf islands, have been the arenas of illicit activities almost since the arrival of the first Whites.

Today, it’s primarily narcotics and, to a lesser degree, illegal immigrants. Unlike the latter, the narcotics flowed both ways during American Prohibition and when B.C. “Bud” was a desirable export. In the old days, it was opium from the Orient, then Chinese immigrants using B.C. as a doorstep to the U.S.

And the battle between smugglers and law enforcement agencies goes on, as the news media frequently reminds us.

In next week’s Chronicles, a look back at Pacific Northwest smuggling over the years.

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PHOTO: Originally, opium was legal and, for years, Victoria had several manufactories. It was sneaking it across the international border that was frowned upon by Canadian and American Customs officers. —University of Victoria