Jury convicts two men for smuggling of Gujarati family who froze to death crossing US-Canada border

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel (29), an Indian national nicknamed “Dirty Harry,” and Steve Shand (50), a Florida resident, were accused of running an illegal operation smuggling increasing numbers of Indian nationals into the US. Prosecutors stated that Patel coordinated the scheme while Shand acted as a driver, tasked with picking up 11 Indian immigrants. Only seven survived the dangerous foot crossing.

During the trial in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, testimony came from an alleged smuggling ring member, a survivor, border patrol agents, and forensic experts. Shand’s defence argued he had unknowingly been drawn into the operation by Patel, while Patel’s lawyers claimed he was misidentified, stating “Dirty Harry” referred to someone else.

Events leading to the tragedy

According to testimony, Steve Shand was driving a 15-passenger van that became stuck in snow on a rural road south of the Canada-US border. Troy Larson, a local worker, came across the vehicle and helped tow it out of the ditch. Larson offered Shand and the two passengers in the van a place to warm up, but Shand declined, stating they were visiting friends in Winnipeg.

The Edward J. Devitt US Courthouse and Federal building where two men face human smuggling trial. (Photo: AP)

Border patrol agents arrived shortly after and discovered two Indian nationals in the van, both holding Canadian student visas but with no documentation of lawful entry into the US. Nearby, five additional migrants were found, including a woman suffering from severe hypothermia.

Tragically, hours later, the bodies of a family were discovered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police just north of the border. Jagdish Patel, 39, his wife Vaishaliben, 37, their 11-year-old daughter Vihangi, and their three-year-old son Dharmik had frozen to death in the extreme conditions.

(With inputs from Associated Press)