Two individuals convicted of human smuggling charges following tragic death of family at Canada-US border due to freezing conditions
Two men were convicted on human smuggling charges after an Indian migrant family tragically froze to death while attempting to cross the Canada-US border.
Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, known as “Dirty Harry”, and Steve Shand were part of an illegal operation that brought Indians to the US, as per prosecutors.
The Patel family – Jagdish Patel, Vaishaliben, their children Vihangi and Dharmik – perished during a blizzard on January 19, 2022. They were not related to Patel.
Jagdish and Vaishaliben Patel with their two children. Pic: RCMP
US Attorney Andy Luger highlighted the severe cruelty of human smuggling revealed in the trial, condemning such criminal organizations for prioritizing profit over humanity.
He emphasized the tragic deaths of the Patel family as a result of extreme greed.
Patel and Shand were both convicted on multiple counts related to human smuggling, facing significant sentences as per the US Attorney’s Office.
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Patel coordinated the operation while Shand was the driver set to pick up 11 Indian migrants – including the family – on the Minnesota side of the Canada border, the court heard. Only seven people survived the foot crossing.
The two parents and their young children were found dead by Canadian Authorities in the morning.
