Crew members of the smuggling ship are Tamil Tigers operatives, Canadian officials allege

Federal officials of Canada's immigration and refugee board (IRB) say the four-member crew of the migrant ship MV Sun Sea that arrived in Vancouver last August are alleged to be Tamil Tiger operatives and they pose a threat to national security.
The four crew members of the MV Sun Sea, a Thai cargo ship modified to accommodate people, are alleged to have helped organize the smuggling trip with 492 asylum seekers on board from Thailand to Vancouver Island in British Columbia in August 2010.

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) which says the men pose a threat to national security has reportedly requested hearings to determine whether the four members can stay in Canada.

The Toronto Sun reported that the men are currently being held in segregation at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre in B.C., where they have been questioned by the RCMP and border agents.

The Sun report quoting an immigration and refugee board (IRB) official said the hearings will take place this month or in February.

The IRB reportedly has ordered the release of at least 49 women and 157 men out of the 492 carried by the MV Sun Sea. All migrants on the MV Sun Sea have filed refugee claims.