Four-Member Indian Family Froze to Death at Border; Mastermind Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Minnesota: A U.S. court has sentenced Harshkumar Patel, the mastermind behind a tragic 2022 human smuggling case, to 10 years in prison. The case involved the death of a four-member Indian family who froze to death while attempting to cross the U.S.-Canada border during a severe blizzard.

Patel, who was also known by the alias “Dirty Harry,” was found guilty of organizing illegal crossings for dozens of migrants from Canada into the United States. Among the victims were two young children, making the incident even more heartbreaking.

Steve Shand, the driver responsible for picking up the migrants, was also convicted and sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. Prosecutors argued that Patel’s greed and lack of remorse contributed directly to the preventable tragedy.

The deceased family, originally from Gujarat, India, was part of a group of migrants attempting the crossing. While seven others survived, the harsh weather claimed the lives of the family of four. Authorities stated that Patel will likely be deported to India after completing his sentence.