Fergus Falls, Minn. – In a chilling testimony on Tuesday, Rajinder Singh, a convicted human smuggler, disclosed that he helped transport more than 500 Indian migrants across the U.S.-Canada border over four years as part of an international smuggling ring. Federal prosecutors allege the operation led to the deaths of a family of four, including two young children, who succumbed to extreme cold while attempting to cross the border.
Singh, 51, testified during the trial of Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, who are accused of participating in the operation. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges of human smuggling and conspiracy. Singh, who admitted earning over $400,000 from the scheme, provided a rare insight into the workings of the smuggling network.
“They are playing with people’s lives,” Singh told the court. “People died.”
The Smuggling Operation
Singh revealed that the smuggling ring primarily targeted migrants from Gujarat, India, who were promised better opportunities in the U.S. Many paid up to $100,000 to the smugglers, often falling into debt and working low-wage jobs to repay the sum. Finances were handled through “hawala,” an informal system of money transfers based on trust.
Migrants were initially flown to Canada on student visas, where Singh arranged for their illegal entry into the U.S. through British Columbia. However, in late 2021, the operation shifted routes, sending migrants to cross the border into Minnesota instead. Singh said the change in plans was driven by operational decisions from the ring’s leaders.
Singh’s involvement in the operation ended tragically for one family. On January 19, 2022, Jagdish Patel, 39, his wife Vaishaliben, in her mid-30s, and their two children, Vihangi, 11, and Dharmik, 3, froze to death while attempting to cross into Minnesota during extreme winter conditions. Federal prosecutors allege the smugglers prioritized financial gain over human safety.
Prosecutors Highlight Brutal Conditions
During the trial, witnesses painted a grim picture of the migrants’ journey. Troy Larson, a mechanic, recounted helping dig Shand’s 15-passenger van out of a ditch that frigid January morning. He later saw border patrol agents arrest Shand along with two passengers.
Daryl Ritchison, a climatologist, testified about the harsh conditions that night, with windchills plunging to minus 30°F—enough to cause frostbite within 10 minutes. Border patrol agent Christopher Oliver described finding footprints in the snow weeks prior, indicating repeated attempts to cross the border.
Defense Arguments
Shand’s defense attorney, Lisa Lopez, argued that her client was an unwitting participant in the operation. She suggested that Patel exploited Shand’s lack of awareness, paying him approximately $25,000 for five trips. “Being used does not equate under the law to being guilty of conspiracy,” Lopez told the jury.
Meanwhile, Patel’s defense attorney, Thomas Leinenweber, argued that Shand’s claims were prejudicial against his client, describing the defense strategies as antagonistic.
Court documents revealed that Patel was in the U.S. illegally, having been denied a visa five times. Prosecutors allege he recruited Shand at a casino in Florida and orchestrated the smuggling trips.
Singh’s Testimony
Singh admitted entering the U.S. illegally three times after being deported for federal charges. He testified in exchange for deferred deportation and a temporary work permit. His testimony offered rare insights into the smuggling network’s structure and tactics but also raised questions about his motives. Defense attorneys suggested Singh was testifying to avoid retribution from the smuggling ring.
The Morning of the Tragedy
Singh recounted waking up to frantic calls from a smuggling associate on the morning of the Patel family’s death. His associate reportedly told him, “‘Our work got screwed up. People got caught.’” Later, Singh learned that a family had died while attempting to cross the border.
The Trial Continues
The trial is set to hear testimony from Yash Patel, one of the passengers arrested with Shand. Prosecutors aim to demonstrate how greed and negligence led to the tragic deaths of the Patel family and the exploitation of hundreds of vulnerable migrants.
This case sheds light on the human cost of smuggling operations and the systemic exploitation of migrants seeking a better life. As the trial unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who entrust their lives to such networks.