Two Men on Trial for Smuggling Attempt Linked to NRI Family's
Tragic Death at US-Canada Border

Los Angeles/Nov 18, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/A.Gary Singh
Nearly three years after the tragic death of an NRI family of four at the US-Canada border, two men stand trial in Minnesota, accused of facilitating the ill-fated crossing. The Patel family, including Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two children, Vihangi (11) and Dharmik (3), froze to death in Manitoba in January 2022 while attempting to cross into the United States during a severe blizzard.
Authorities linked the family's journey to a smuggling network that begins in India and spans Canada and the US. The accused, Harsh kumar Patel and Steve Shand, face charges of human trafficking, conspiracy, and culpable homicide. Both deny any involvement.
The family, from Gujarat, India, had entered Canada on visitor visas, seeking a better life abroad. However, they were caught in freezing temperatures of -35°C (-31°F) while navigating harsh terrain. A child’s backpack among apprehended migrants alerted US Border Patrol to a missing group, eventually leading to the discovery of the Patels’ bodies.
Investigators allege Patel and Shand were part of a larger smuggling operation. Patel, known as "Dirty Harry," is accused of orchestrating logistics, while Shand drove a van used to transport migrants. One survivor revealed paying $87,000 to smugglers for a fraudulent student visa and illegal entry.
The tragedy underscores the risks of smuggling networks, which often exploit vulnerable migrants for profit. Canadian and Indian authorities have also arrested agents linked to these operations, revealing connections to underpaid labor arrangements in the US.
This case, coupled with similar border deaths, highlights the growing use of clandestine networks amidst stricter immigration policies. Advocates call for greater action to combat human smuggling and support safe migration pathways.
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