Ohio's northern border is the line between the state and Canada with Lake Erie in between and it sits mostly unprotected.

The NBI is a collection of agencies from Ohio and Michigan aimed at stopping terrorists, people sneaking into America anyone or anything that should be stopped at the border, An reported.

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But after 26 years working Lake Erie, Port Clinton officer Ellis Fuiava knows nothing is routine.

"You look at, come across a boat with no poles, no fishing poles or nothing on the boat, just documents that's a big red flag," Fuiava said.

Ohio Homeland Security Director William Vedra says semi-submersibles have been on the radar for some time.

"We know that single person submersibles have been used in drug trade on different coasts," Vedra said. "We want to be on the lookout, so to speak, for those types of threats."

"The threat of them being used in the Great Lakes is real," Vedra said. 

Protecting the border between Ohio and Canada is no easy task because 158 miles of the border stretch through Lake Erie.

Officer Fuiava pointed out the number of possibilities for criminal activity.

"It's water, I mean, it's not like you can park your cruiser out here," Fuiava said.

That's why NBI is asking the public to help.

Because even with routine patrols and vessel checks Vedra said there is no telling what tactics criminals might think of next.

This year the NBI performed more than 1,400 marine patrol missions, boarding about 450 vessels for closer inspection.

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More Information:
Ohio Terrorism Tip Line: 1-877-OHS-INTEL or 1-877-647-4683.
You also can e-mail Ohio Homeland Security at homelandsec@dps.state.oh.us.

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