In brief: China bans imports of shellfish from the West Coast

SEATTLE – China has suspended imports of shellfish from the West Coast of the United States, cutting off one of the biggest export markets for Northwest companies.

KUOW reported the Chinese government imposed the ban after recent shipments of geoduck clams from Northwest waters were found with high levels of arsenic and a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

China’s government said the restriction will will continue indefinitely. It applies to clams, oysters and all other two-shelled bivalves harvested from the waters of Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Northern California.

The U.S. exported $68 million worth of geoduck clams in 2012 – most of which came from Puget Sound. Nearly 90 percent of those geoduck exports went to China.

Repairman accused of selling drugs

BELLINGHAM – Bellingham police say a computer repairman traded cocaine for Apple products.

The 36-year-old repairman sold small amounts of the drug to an undercover detective three times in the past month. He was arrested Friday, the Bellingham Herald reported.