Ship crew were Tigers, say officials

Four crew members of the MV Sun Sea that arrived off the coast of BC last summer are alleged to be LTTE operatives who helped organize the high-seas smuggling trip, federal officials say.

Hearings to determine if the four can stay in Canada have been requested by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), which alleges the men pose a threat to national security.

The men are being held in segregation at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in BC where they have been questioned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and border agents. Melissa Anderson of the Immigration and Refugee Board, said the hearings will take place this month or in February.

“We are alleging they are inadmissible to Canada on security grounds for being members of the Tigers,” Anderson said.

At least 49 women and 157 men out of the 492 carried by the Sun Sea have been ordered released by the IRB, with many choosing to remain in the Vancouver area Toronto Sun.