New Delhi
CNN
—
Police said three alleged black market immigration agents were arrested in western India last year in connection with an incident in which an Indian family froze to death on the U.S.-Canada border.
Ahmedabad Police Deputy Chief of Crime Division Chaitanya Mandrik named the suspects as Yogesh Patel, Bavesh Patel and Dashras Chaudhary. They are in police custody and charged with manslaughter, human trafficking, conspiracy and attempted manslaughter, he said.
The three men are also suspected of facilitating illegal immigration from Gujarat to the United States via Canada, he added.
The suspects were arrested Sunday-Tuesday in the cities of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad as part of a case allegedly involving 11 illegal migrants, including a family of four who froze to death while trying to cross to the United States on foot last January. rice field.
“The group of 11 people were taken to Toronto and then to Vancouver. Investigators then left them in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to make their way to the United States,” Mann said. Mr Dorick said.
On January 19, 2022, the family froze to death after being separated from the rest of the group during a snowstorm near the town of Emerson, Manitoba.
According to Canadian public broadcaster CBC, an autopsy revealed that Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, his wife, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar, and their children, aged 11 and 3, died after being exposed to extreme weather. became.
At least two other people are also wanted in connection with the case, Mandrick said.
“We have two wanted criminals who are agents from Canada and the United States,” Mandlik said. “Canadian and US crossing agents provide legal and other assistance.”
