Schumer pushes for north border drug strategy

ALBANY — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is demanding the federal government issue a plan to fight the narcotics trade over the border with Canada.

Last year a federal audit found a long section of border needs more attention to prevent illegal trade. A law passed in January required the plan by July 5.

Schumer says the strategy is needed to stem smuggling and drug trafficking through gaps of security.

This is Schumer’s latest push to improve border security as chairman of the Senate’s subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security.

Last month, the federal Department of Homeland Security said it plans to integrate military radar used by Canada with the U.S. Air and Marine Operations Center to track low-flying planes that can be involved in illegal trade across the border.