GAO report cites gaps in northern border security

HELENA, Mont. (AP) _ A recent government report says the Border Patrol has limited capabilities to detect illegal activities along the nation's northern border from Washington to Montana.

The patrol has responsibility for security in the border region with five national forests, wilderness areas and a national park.

The Government Accountability Office report says the area is considered an entry point for low-flying aircraft that carry high-potency marijuana from Canada.

The report says the inaccessible terrain and limited resources means the extant of illegal cross-border activity is largely unknown.

Sen. Jon Tester requested the report, which was released last month. The Montana Democrat says there is a need to do more to secure the border against drug trafficking and terrorist threats.