By Trend News Line 2024-03-28 10:56:38.
**The Tragic Human Smuggling Case Unfolds**
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In a shocking turn of events, a man accused of aiding in the smuggling of individuals across the US-Canada border, including four members of an Indian family who tragically perished in 2022, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of human smuggling. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, also known as “Dirty Harry,” entered his plea during a teleconference with US Magistrate Judge Leo Brisbois of Duluth. Steven Shand, who was hired by Patel to transport the Indian nationals, also pleaded not guilty to four counts of human smuggling. The case sheds light on a dark underworld of human trafficking and exploitation.
**The Alleged Smuggling Operation**
It has been revealed that Patel has been refused a US visa multiple times and is currently residing in the US illegally. Court documents suggest that Patel was part of a human trafficking group based in the northwest Indian state of Gujarat. The group reportedly facilitated the entry of Indian nationals into Canada on student visas, before transporting them to the Chicago area. Once in the US, the migrants were forced to work at Indian restaurants for meagre wages while repaying their debts to the smugglers.
**The Tragic Discovery**
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The harrowing incident came to light when Shand was apprehended by the US Border Patrol in Minnesota, just south of the Canadian border. Inside the van he was driving were two Indian nationals who had entered the US illegally, while five others were found walking nearby in sub-zero temperatures. One individual had to be hospitalized due to severe cold-related injuries. Shockingly, a family of four from Gujarat, including an 11-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, perished just 10 meters from the border. The victims were identified as Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two young children, Vihangi and Dharmik.
**A Tragic Loss**
Jagdish Patel and his wife were highly educated individuals who had worked as teachers in their village of Dingucha in Gujarat. Seeking a better life, they embarked on the perilous journey to the US, only to meet a tragic end. The deaths of the Gujarat family have sent shockwaves through the community, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau describing the incident as “mind-blowing.”
**The Heart-Wrenching Details**
According to reports, the victims had paid a hefty sum to be smuggled into the US, with one individual carrying children’s clothes and a diaper for the family who tragically perished. Messages exchanged between Shand and Patel reveal a callous disregard for the safety and well-being of the migrants, emphasizing the profit-driven nature of the smuggling operation.
**A Wake-Up Call**
The case highlights the dangers faced by individuals who fall prey to human traffickers and the urgent need for stricter enforcement and protection measures. As the trial unfolds, authorities hope to bring justice to the victims and shed light on the dark underbelly of human smuggling operations. The tragic loss of the Gujarat family serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of exploitation and greed in the world today..
1. Suspects in Indian family froze to death case on Canada border plead not guilty in human smuggling
2. Suspects in Indian family froze to death case on Canada border plead not guilty in human smuggling case.
