Seizures of heroin, cocaine and marijuana at Canada-U.S. border crossings have increased since 1997, according to the U.S. Justice Department. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Congress should force the White House to create an anti-drug-smuggling strategy for the northern border, similar to one in place for the southern border, Senator Charles Schumer says.

The New York Democrat cited U.S. Justice Department statistics Wednesday showing large increases in cocaine, heroin and marijuana seizures along the U.S.-Canadian border since 1997.

Most of the club drug ecstasy enters the United States over the Canada-U.S. border, he said.

"Even in the face of increased drug smuggling, the administration lacks a comprehensive strategy to fight this scourge," said Schumer, who said he will seek support for a bill from colleagues in other border states.

Growing seizures of club drug ecstasy

While cocaine, heroin and marijuana seizures are dwarfed by those at the Mexican border, the reverse is true for ecstasy. Since 2005, agents have seized eight times the club drug at the Canada-U.S. border than at the Mexican border, taking 303 kilograms from smugglers in 2009, 616 kilograms in 2008 and 240 kilograms in 2007.

In a Feb. 19 western New York seizure, agents using X-ray technology at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge found 21 kilograms of ecstasy — 77,856 tablets worth $1.5 million US — in a car's rear quarter panels. The pills were wrapped in cellophane, dryer sheets and electrical tape. A 53-year-old Canadian man was arrested.

Schumer's legislation would mandate the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to devise and implement a comprehensive counter-narcotics plan for the 6,437-kilometre Canada-U.S. border. New York Representative Bill Owens is expected to sponsor a similar bill in the House.

The National Drug Control Policy office said in a statement it had not seen the proposed legislation but was interested in learning more about it.

Schumer also opposed the Obama administration's plan for a 12 per cent funding cut for a federal crime-fighting initiative that has allowed counties with the highest drug activity to beef up staff and productivity.