Crime
Canadian Arrested for Importing Coral in Thailand
PHUKET – A 54-year-old Canadian man arrested Thursday in Thailand for illegally bringing coral into the country appears to have a connection to Vancouver, where he apparently studied for a time.
The Phuket Gazette reports that Ted Blenkers was arrested and charged with importing coral without a permit and relocating plant or animal remains without a proper licence.
According to a LinkedIn profile, Blenkers, a captain, studied at Vancouver College from 1968 to ’72. A Facebook page also notes that he graduated from Vancouver College in 1972.
The Phuket Gazette reports Blenkers was arrested after being spotted moving coral from a boat to a van with Bangkok licence plates. Upon searching the van, police found 10 different species of coral, police told the Phuket Gazette.
Blenkers told officers he had just returned from Indonesia and planned to use the coral to decorate the fish tank he has at home in Phuket Town, the Gazette reports.
