Two Human Traffickers Sentenced in Death of Indian Family at US-Canada Border
New York, May 29 – Two individuals involved in a human trafficking ring that led to the tragic deaths of four members of an Indian family near the US-Canada border in January 2022 have been sentenced to prison in the United States. The case involved the illegal transport of Indian nationals into the country using fraudulent student visas and dangerous border crossings.
Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, a 29-year-old Indian citizen residing in Florida, and his co-conspirator, 50-year-old Steve Anthony Shand, were found to be key figures in a smuggling operation that facilitated the illegal entry of Indian migrants into the United States via Canada. As per agency report, Patel was sentenced to ten years and one month in prison for his role in the conspiracy and will be deported upon completion of his sentence. Shand received a prison term of six years and six months and will remain under supervision for two additional years following his release.
The tragedy came to light in January 2022 when the bodies of four Indian nationals—Jagdish Patel, aged 39, his wife Vaishaliben Patel, 37, and their children Vihangi, 11, and Dharmik, 3—were discovered just 12 meters from the US border near Emerson in Manitoba, Canada. The family had succumbed to extreme cold while attempting to cross into the United States on foot during severe winter conditions.
Ramanlal Patel was arrested in 2024 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on charges of conspiracy in connection with the trafficking scheme. According to the US Department of Justice, the accused not only orchestrated the illegal transportation but also showed complete disregard for human life, leaving the family to die in a snowstorm.
Acting US Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Lisa Kirkpatrick, emphasized the emotional weight of the case, highlighting the loss of two young children and their parents due to the defendants' actions. She noted that human traffickers routinely demonstrate a lack of humanity and praised law enforcement for bringing the perpetrators to justice. Matthew R. Galotti, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, also condemned the defendants, stating that their greed endangered the lives of thousands and directly caused the deaths of the children involved.
The sentencing marks a significant step in holding those accountable for illegal human trafficking operations and serves as a stark reminder of the deadly risks associated with such criminal networks.
