MV Sun Sea: top suspect netted

21 January 2011 03:17 am

Thai authorities say they have arrested a man who they say is a human smuggler linked to the sailing of the MV Sun Sea, the rickety boat that transported 492 Tamil migrants to British Columbia last year.

Thailand’s immigration police arrested Nadesan Jeeyananthan, 48, and seven other people accused of involvement in a human-smuggling ring during a series of raids last Sunday.

A Thai official said Mr. Jeeyananthan was behind a ship that was preparing to sail with 200 Sri Lankans when the voyage was disrupted by police in February. A Canadian official said he is also suspected of helping send the MV Sun Sea to British Columbia, although he was not the main organizer.
The officials said he is alleged to have been behind a major-human smuggling operation that has tried to send migrants to Canada in other ships.

- The Globe and Mail