Two Convicted in Minnesota Human Smuggling Case

Harshkumar Patel, 29, an Indian citizen, and his American accomplice Steve Shand, 50, were found guilty by a Minnesota jury of multiple charges related to a human smuggling operation that resulted in the tragic deaths of an Indian family at the U.S.-Canada border in January 2022. The family, including parents Jagdish and Vaishaliben Patel and their two children, froze to death while trying to cross the border during a severe blizzard, highlighting the extreme dangers posed by human trafficking. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger condemned the defendants for prioritizing profit over human life, stating that their actions led to “unimaginable greed” and the loss of innocent lives. Both Patel and Shand face potential sentences of up to 20 years for their crimes, with sentencing recommendations to be influenced by various factors. The trial has drawn attention to the increasing number of Indian nationals attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, often risking their lives in the process. The convictions are seen as a crucial step in addressing the cruelty of human smuggling operations.