Indian Investigation Links Canadian Colleges to Human Trafficking Network

Indian law enforcement is probing alleged connections between numerous Canadian colleges and two Mumbai-based entities accused of orchestrating human trafficking across the Canada-U.S. border. The investigation follows a tragic incident in January 2022 that claimed the lives of four Indian nationals attempting to cross into the U.S.

India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED), tasked with investigating financial crimes and money laundering, released a statement Tuesday detailing the discovery of incriminating evidence during a multi-city raid. The raids targeted locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. Officials claim the network facilitated illegal crossings by exploiting Canada’s student visa system.

“Admissions to Canadian colleges were allegedly used as a pretext for securing student visas,” the ED stated. “Once in Canada, individuals crossed illegally into the U.S., often at great personal risk.”

The investigation was reportedly triggered by the deaths of Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 39, his wife, and their two children near the Manitoba-U.S. border. The Patel family froze to death attempting the perilous journey, a case now widely referred to as the “Dingucha case,” named after their village in Gujarat, India.

Authorities allege that Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, a key suspect, facilitated the family’s ill-fated journey. Each family member reportedly paid $93,000–$102,000 for their illegal passage. The investigation has uncovered a sprawling network involving approximately 1,700 agents in Gujarat and 3,500 across India, with 800 identified as active participants.

The ED claims that two entities referred tens of thousands of students annually to Canadian colleges. One entity had agreements with 112 Canadian institutions, while the other was linked to over 150 colleges. The release, however, did not name the colleges involved.

“The network returned admission fees once individuals bypassed the academic route and crossed the border illegally,” investigators allege.

Canadian and U.S. officials have yet to comment on the allegations. The federal government, RCMP, and Canadian college representatives declined to respond to inquiries. Similarly, the U.S. embassy in Ottawa offered no statement.

Meanwhile, two individuals, Florida resident Steve Shand and Indian national Harshkumar Patel, were convicted last month in Minnesota for roles in transporting unauthorized migrants. Harshkumar Patel is accused of coordinating the operation, while Shand served as a driver. Both await sentencing.

The timing of the revelations coincides with heightened scrutiny over Canada’s international student policies and U.S.-Canada border security. In a separate development, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly recently met with U.S. officials in Florida to address cross-border migration and trade concerns.

The case also highlights diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, exacerbated by Ottawa’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats in October. Canada accused Indian officials of espionage and alleged involvement in targeting Sikh activists. New Delhi has dismissed these claims.

Anil Pratham, a former Gujarat police official who investigated the Dingucha case, urged individuals to pursue legal avenues for migration. “There is a proper, lawful way to study or work abroad,” he emphasized.