A jury has reached its conclusion regarding two individuals implicated in a human smuggling case that resulted in the tragic deaths of an Indian family who succumbed to the cold while attempting to traverse the U.S.-Canada border amid a severe blizzard in 2022.

The forthcoming announcement of the jury’s decision is awaited in court. The accused, Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, of India, known by the nickname “Dirty Harry,” and Steve Shand, 50, an American from Florida, each faced multiple charges related to human trafficking. Prosecutors have described these men as key players in a well-organized illegal operation that has been increasingly facilitating the entry of Indian nationals into the United States.

The federal trial, held in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, commenced on Monday and included testimony from an alleged member of the smuggling network, which reportedly ferried Indian nationals from Canada into the U.S. Additionally, the jury heard from a survivor of the perilous journey, as well as testimony from border patrol agents and forensic specialists.

Defense teams clashed during the proceedings, with Shand’s attorneys contending that he was unknowingly involved in the operation orchestrated by Patel. Meanwhile, Patel’s lawyers argued that the allegations against him were based on questionable witness accounts and claimed that he came to the United States in pursuit of a better life, only to be wrongfully accused of serious crimes.

Prosecutors alleged that Patel played a significant role in organizing the smuggling operation, whereas Shand served as the driver. According to their case, Shand was set to collect 11 Indian migrants on the Minnesota side of the border in January 2022; however, only seven managed to survive the treacherous crossing. Tragically, Canadian officials later discovered two parents along with their young children, who perished due to the freezing temperatures.