By Canadian Press

Human smuggling trial could hear from survivor of frigid cross-border walk

Nov 20, 2024 | 3:02 AM

FERGUS FALLS — The trial of two men accused of human smuggling is expected to soon hear from a migrant who survived a long walk across the Canada-U. S. border in a blizzard.

Steve Shand and Harshkumar Patel are charged with organizing several illegal crossings, from Manitoba to Minnesota, of people from India.

They have pleaded not guilty and their trial is set to run until Friday.

One of the crossings they are accused of organizing saw a family of four freeze to death as they struggled to walk in blowing snow and wind chills below -30 in January 2022.

Border officials caught seven others that day, one of whom is scheduled to take the witness stand as early as today.

Helping hand

Salvation Army seeking bell ringers for annual Christmas Kettle Campaign

15h ago

Health

First Canadian case of more severe mpox strain confirmed in Manitoba

19h ago

Crash

Highway 4 north of North Battleford re-opened following major accident

20h ago

Border officials have testified that they saw boot prints in the same area in the weeks preceding that day — a sign that previous migrant crossings had been successful.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2024.

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press