Human Smugglers Convicted in Family's Deaths

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand were convicted in Minnesota for their roles in a human smuggling operation linked to the tragic deaths of an Indian family who froze during a blizzard while attempting to cross from Canada into the U.S. in January 2022. The family, consisting of Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two young children, succumbed to the harsh winter elements, highlighting the dangers faced by migrants. U.S. Attorney Andy Luger condemned the smugglers' actions, emphasizing the inhumanity of their greed that led to the family's deaths. Patel, known as 'Dirty Harry', was the organizer of the operation while Shand acted as the driver, and both face a maximum of 20 years in prison for their convictions. The trial revealed that the smugglers had orchestrated a complex scheme that resulted in significant risks for those seeking a better life in the U.S., with only seven out of eleven migrants surviving the crossing. Sentencing for Patel and Shand is scheduled for March.