Canadian resident accused of smuggling Indian family who froze to death near U.S. border arrested

A Canadian resident has been arrested after his alleged involvement in the high-profile smuggling of a young Indian family of four who froze to death along the U.S. border in Manitoba in early 2022.

Fenil Patel, 37, who also goes by the name Fenilkumar Kantilal Patel, was apprehended on Sept. 5, based on an extradition request from the U.S., said Kwame Bonsu, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice Canada. The official declined to provide further details, including about any pending charges, describing the matter on Tuesday as part of “confidential state-to-state communications.”