Human trafficking suspected as family freezes to death in Canada

OFFICIALS IN Ottawa said they have confirmed the identities of four Indian nationals whose bodies were found frozen in Manitoba near the Canada-US border last week.

The High Commission of India released a notice that said the four who died were Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, a 39-year-old man,

Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, a 37-year-old woman, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, an 11-yearold girl, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, a three-year-old boy.

Investigators believe the family of four was attempting to cross over the border by foot on January 19 during severe winter weather and died from exposure.

The family’s immediate relatives have been informed, the release said.

A special team, led by a senior consular officer from the Consulate General of India, is in Manitoba to help with investigations on the Canadian side and to offer services for the victims.

Manitoba Royal Canadian

Mounted Police found the four bodies near Emerson, Manitoba, after US border patrol agents advised them they had picked up a group of Indian nationals on the US side.

One of the individuals was found with a backpack full of items for an infant. He told investigators he was carrying the backpack for a group that got separated from his.

Investigators have said they believe the deaths are linked to a human smuggling scheme.

Steve Shand of Deltona, Florida, faces counts of transporting or attempting to transport illegal aliens. He was released on bail on Monday.

Police in the western state of Gujarat in India have begun delving deeper into the deaths of the four Indian migrants.

Ashish Bhatia, director general of police in Gujarat, said investigators are trying to determine whether there was a travel agent in India who helped the group to leave for Canada.