Human smuggling operation
WebPosted Jul 20 1999 5:52 PM PDT
VANCOUVER - More information is emerging
after a ship was intercepted by the Coast Guard off Vancouver Island
this morning. The Coast Guard boarded a suspicious ship in Nootka
Sound. On board they discovered nearly 100 people.
"We know that they are said to be from Asia," said Citizenship
and Immigration spokesperson George Varnai. A patrol plane spotted
the ship. The ship had no markings, no name and wasn't flying a
flag. A coast guard ship was sent to investigate and found the
55-metre long ship listing and people climbing onto life rafts.
When RCMP and Immigration boarded the ship, they found
approximately 90 people. They include 70 men and 20 women. It's not
clear how many are crew and how many are passengers but officials
are convinced they intercepted a human smuggling operation.
It's still not clear where the ship is from or where it was
heading. Officials and Chinese speaking translators will get more
information once the ship comes to shore.
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