The smuggling syndicates lost the lucrative business of arms when the war ended in Sri Lanka so they switched to human cargo, using the expertise and government contacts they had developed, stated Jason Kenney, Canadas Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. "We know that there are three or four syndicates, each of which had developed an area of expertise in smuggling contraband in Southeast Asia in general, but more particularly contraband armaments to the LTTE in northern Sri Lanka," he said.
Canadian officials believe the MV Sun Sea operation was facilitated by long-established Southeast Asian smuggling syndicates. Investigation carried out by Canadian authorities has identified 32 so far with suspected ties to the Tamil Tigers rebels, organized crime and war crimes. Also on the ship were "prominent figures" who played "primary roles in the smuggling venture," the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) report says. "Weve committed to the Canadian people to use all of the legal means at our disposal to stop and disincentivize the smugglers from targeting Canada." said Mr. Kenney.
The Canadian government is also taking a "vigorous approach" in such countries as Thailand, where last fall the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency helped disrupt another vessel before it left for Canada, the Minister said. But he said the smuggling syndicates are still active and have taken deposits from passengers who are now being moved around transit countries awaiting the "green light" to board a ship to Canada. "The syndicates appear to be, in some cases, well-advanced in planning future voyages," he said.