US grand jury charges Indian man in cross-border smuggling scheme

According to court documents, Shivam Lnu, 22, directed smuggling operations between January and June 2025, coordinating the illegal transport of migrants across the US-Canada border into Clinton County, New York.

On January 26, 2025, US Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles travelling in tandem near the US-Canada border. Both vehicles accelerated in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement, triggering a pursuit.

“One vehicle went off the road and became immobilised, while the other was later stopped in Mooers, New York. The vehicles contained a total of 12 undocumented aliens,” the department said.

A statement issued by the US Department of Justice said WhatsApp messages between one of the drivers and a number allegedly linked to Shivam revealed coordination of multiple smuggling operations into the United States from Canada in and prior to January 2025. The messages reportedly included “proof-of-life” photographs and directions to safe houses in upstate New York.

Shivam has been charged with one count of conspiracy to bring immigrants into the United States unlawfully and four counts of bringing immigrants into the country for private financial gain.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. Conviction on all four counts of bringing immigrants into the United States for financial gain carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years.

He was initially charged by criminal complaint on June 13, 2025, with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants.