Border crossing reopens after bomb scare

Border crossing reopens after bomb scare

The Peace Arch border crossing is seen in a file photo.

Tools

Story Published: Aug 10, 2008 at 10:10 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 12:26 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff & News Services

BLAINE, Wash. -- Canadian officials closed the Peace Arch border crossing at Blaine Sunday night after a woman who was denied entry to the United States claimed she had something suspicious in a bag.

Traffic was diverted to the Pacific Highway crossing about a mile away in northwest Washington, and to the crossings at Lynden and Sumas farther to the east.

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police bomb squad was called to the scene and gave the all-clear about 12:30 a.m. Monday. The crossing reopened about 12:45 a.m.

Inspector Derren Lench, RCMP watch commander in Surrey, British Columbia, said nothing amiss was found in the bag.

The woman tried to enter the United States but was turned back to Canada and, apparently angered, told a Canadian border officer that she had something suspicious in a bag, Lench said.

Further details about the woman and why she was denied entry to the U.S. were not available.

Blaine is 100 miles north of Seattle, and the Peace Arch crossing is the busiest west of Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario, on the U.S.-Canadian border.

Weather & Traffic

Icon
Current Temp 63.0 °F
Mostly Cloudy
More Weather

Weather & Traffic

More Weather

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

Stay Connected

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Marketplace