Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Jan 30: A 22-year-old Indian citizen has been indicted in the United States for his alleged role in a human smuggling operation that ferried Indian nationals from Canada across the northern border into the US.

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. A federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York returned the indictment on Wednesday.

According to court documents, Shivam allegedly directed the smuggling network between January and June 2025, coordinating the illegal transportation of individuals across the US-Canada border into Clinton County, New York.

In January 2025, US Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles travelling in tandem near the border. Both vehicles accelerated in an attempt to evade officers, triggering a pursuit. One vehicle veered off the road and became immobilised, while the other was later intercepted in Mooers, New York. Authorities found a total of 12 undocumented persons inside the two vehicles.

The US Justice Department said WhatsApp messages recovered from one of the drivers and a phone number allegedly linked to Shivam revealed repeated coordination of illegal crossings. The messages reportedly included proof-of-life photographs, movement instructions and directions to safe houses in upstate New York.

If convicted, Shivam faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each charge. A conviction on all four counts of illegally bringing individuals into the United States carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years.

Shivam was initially arrested in June last year following a criminal complaint charging him with one count of conspiracy to illegally transport individuals into the United States.