An Indian man, Shivam Lnu, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged involvement in smuggling a group of individuals from Canada into the United States. The U.S. Justice Department claims that the 22-year-old orchestrated the illegal crossing of Indian nationals across the U.S.-Canada border into Clinton County, New York.
According to court filings, the suspect is accused of managing a human trafficking operation over several months, from January to June 2025. Authorities state that on January 26, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to intercept two vehicles traveling in tandem near the border. The vehicles evaded the agents, prompting a pursuit that led to the immobilization of one vehicle off-road and the eventual stop of the second vehicle in Mooers, New York. Subsequently, it was discovered that a total of 12 undocumented immigrants were being transported in the two vehicles.
The U.S. Justice Department disclosed that incriminating WhatsApp messages exchanged between one of the drivers and a phone linked to Shivam allegedly detailed the coordination of multiple instances of smuggling individuals into the U.S. from Canada.
Shivam Lnu has been formally charged with one count of conspiracy to transport aliens to the U.S. and four counts of illegally bringing aliens into the country for financial gain. If found guilty on all charges, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years. The suspect was initially charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to transport aliens in June.