A trial unfolding in Minnesota has brought alarming details of an international human smuggling network to light. Rajinder Singh, a convicted human smuggler, testified Tuesday that he facilitated the illegal entry of over 500 Indian migrants into the United States through Canada over four years.
Singh, 51, admitted to earning more than $400,000 as part of the smuggling operation, which prosecutors allege preyed on Indian nationals’ aspirations for a better life in the U.S. Singh’s testimony implicated two defendants, Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, who are accused of playing key roles in the network.
According to Singh, most migrants he helped smuggle were from Gujarat, India, paying approximately $100,000 each for passage. Smugglers used “hawala,” an informal money transfer system, to handle these payments. Singh explained that migrants often ended up working low-wage jobs to repay their debts.
Singh also testified about the operation’s tactics. Initially, migrants were smuggled from British Columbia into Washington state. In late 2021, the network shifted to the Minnesota-Manitoba border — a change that proved deadly for one family.
On January 19, 2022, Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two young children, Vihangi (11) and Dharmik (3), perished while attempting to cross the border in subzero temperatures. Their deaths, a chilling reminder of the risks faced by migrants, have become the centerpiece of the trial.
Prosecutors allege Patel ran part of the smuggling network and recruited Shand as a driver. Shand was arrested while driving a van carrying migrants near the border. Witnesses described brutal weather conditions that night, with wind chills dropping to -30°F, capable of causing frostbite within 10 minutes.
Shand’s attorneys argued that he was an unwitting participant, unaware of the network’s illegal activities. They claimed Shand was manipulated by Patel, who allegedly paid him $25,000 for five trips.
Patel’s attorneys countered by questioning Singh’s credibility, noting his convictions for smuggling and fraud. They suggested Singh testified in exchange for leniency, including deferred deportation and a temporary work permit, to avoid returning to India where he could face retribution.
Singh admitted to being contacted by a panicked associate on the morning of the Patel family’s deaths. “Our work got screwed up. People got caught,” Singh recounted being told, followed by the grim news of the family’s fate.
The case highlights the broader scope of international smuggling networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. Prosecutors described Patel and Shand as financially motivated, prioritizing profits over human lives.
With further testimony expected, including from another migrant allegedly smuggled by the defendants, the trial continues to shed light on the dangerous realities of human smuggling operations.
Dhwani will follow this developing story and provide updates as the trial progresses.
