MV Sun Sea human smuggling suspect arrested in France

TORONTO • The suspected organizer of the voyage of the MV Sun Sea, the human smuggling ship that brought almost 500 Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Canada in 2010, has been arrested in France, the RCMP confirmed Thursday.

Thayakaran Markandu was being held in custody by French authorities, police said, adding extradition proceedings were underway to bring him to Canada, where he could face life imprisonment and a $1-million fine.

The RCMP and Interpol had been looking for Markandu, a Sri Lankan citizen, since last month when he was charged in his alleged role in the MV Sun Sea operation, which was the work of smugglers based in Bangkok.

The National Post reported last year that Markandu had been arrested in Bangkok when the smuggling operation was underway, and that he was carrying a French passport. Although he was caught with supplies for the ship, Thai authorities let him go with a fine.

He is the first person to face charges over the MV Sun Sea. The RCMP said it would not provide more information because the case was before the courts.