Washington DC (Rajeev Sharma): A 22-year-old Indian citizen has been indicted in the United States for allegedly operating a human smuggling network that facilitated the illegal entry of Indian nationals from Canada into the country through the northern border.
The accused, identified as Shivam, whose surname has not been disclosed, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens into the United States and four counts of illegally bringing aliens into the country for private financial gain. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Shivam is accused of coordinating smuggling operations between January and June 2025, overseeing the unlawful movement of individuals across the US–Canada border into Clinton County, New York. Investigators allege that he managed the operation remotely, relying on intermediaries and digital communication platforms to direct drivers and migrants.
In January 2025, US Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles travelling together near the border. Both vehicles allegedly fled, prompting a pursuit. One vehicle veered off the road and became immobilised, while the second was later stopped in Mooers, New York. Authorities discovered a total of 12 undocumented individuals inside the two vehicles.
The US Justice Department said WhatsApp messages recovered from one of the drivers revealed repeated communication with a phone number allegedly linked to Shivam. The messages reportedly contained instructions on border crossing points, directions to safe houses in upstate New York, and proof-of-life photographs of migrants, suggesting organised smuggling activity on multiple occasions.
If convicted, Shivam faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each count. A conviction on all four counts related to illegally bringing individuals into the United States would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years. He was initially charged in June last year through a criminal complaint for conspiracy to transport individuals illegally.
