Indian Family’s Border Deaths Expose Trafficking and Gambling Ties

_{Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, alleged casino manager, is charged with human trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide. (Image: Sherburne County Sheriff)}

The Patel family’s tragic deaths near the US-Canada border underscore the global crisis of human trafficking and its ties to unregulated gambling networks.

In January 2022, an Indian family of four, the Patels, tragically froze to death while attempting to illegally cross the US-Canada border during a severe blizzard. 

After arriving in Canada on visitor visas, they aimed to enter the US but got separated from a group of fellow migrants and succumbed to the extreme cold, with temperatures plummeting below -35C (-31F). Their bodies were discovered by Canadian police just 12 meters from the border, underscoring the dire risks of migrating through irregular routes.  

Alleged Casino Manager Among the Accused Men  

Following their deaths, two men, Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel (not related to the deceased family) and Steve Anthony Shand, were charged with human trafficking, criminal conspiracy, and culpable homicide in Minnesota, alleging their involvement in the smuggling operation that led to the perilous journey. 

A complex network of smugglers facilitated the family's plans, requiring significant payments to illegal immigration agents in India. 

It is alleged that Patel managed a casino in Orange City, Florida. Casinos.com was unable to verify this after contacting casinos in Orange City. 

Patel, who police say also went by the nickname "Dirty Harry," does not have legal status in the US and has been refused a US visa five times, per government records. It is difficult to see how he could be appointed to the position of manager of a casino in the US.  

Shand said Patel originally tried to recruit him to pick up Indian nationals who were illegally crossing the US-Canada border in New York. Shand said he declined but agreed to pick up others in Minnesota. 

Shand also said Patel paid him about $25,000 altogether for five trips to the border in December 2021 and January 2022. He claims he dropped his passengers off at an Indian supermarket in Chicago, a residence in a wealthy part of the Chicago area, and at a suburban Chicago motel.

A lawyer for Patel said in a statement to the BBC: “We look forward to the trial and the chance to show that Mr. Patel took no part in this tragic event.” 

Jane MacLatchy with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told reporters “It is an absolute and heartbreaking tragedy.” 

Tragic Incidents All Too Common as Migrant Deaths Soar 

The family’s tragic story is part of a broader and growing crisis of migrant deaths, underscored by the 2023 report from IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, which documented at least 8,565 migrant deaths globally that year—the highest number recorded. The Patel family's case serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by migrants seeking a better life, often resorting to dangerous means in the absence of safe and legal pathways.

_{(Image: Report by the UNODC)}

According to data provided by CT Data Collaborative, over two-thirds of victims trafficked in the Americas experience sexual exploitation. Over 80% of victims are female, and almost a third are children. In Europe, the majority of victims trafficked are adults, with a slightly higher proportion trafficked for labour than sexual exploitation.   

Global Problem of Unregulated Gambling Platforms Exploiting Regulatory Frameworks  

The expansion of casinos, online gambling, and the evolution of underground banking in East and Southeast Asia have opened new avenues for transnational organised crime according to the report by the UNODC. 

The integration of technology, particularly through unregulated online gambling platforms, cryptocurrencies, and sophisticated money laundering schemes, poses significant challenges to law enforcement and regulatory authorities. 

_{(Image: Report by the UNODC)}

As organised crime networks adapt and innovate, they exploit regulatory loopholes and take advantage of the weak enforcement landscape in many Southeast Asian jurisdictions. 

The convergence of casinos, cyber fraud, and human trafficking illustrates a complex landscape where criminal enterprises thrive, often beyond the oversight of traditional regulatory frameworks.  

_{(Image: Report by the UNODC)}

The emergence of new financial technologies, especially the use of cryptocurrencies and underground banking practices, complicates further the effectiveness of current regulatory measures. As these illicit activities grow more sophisticated, it necessitates a coordinated response from regional and international law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. 

Enhanced cooperation, intelligence sharing, and cross-border enforcement actions will be crucial to dismantle these intricate networks and mitigate the risks associated with the burgeoning illicit economy tied to gambling and organised crime in the region.