Shivam
Paid USD 100 per person: Indian-origin man’s border smuggling scheme exposed
An Indian-origin man has pleaded guilty in the US to his role in a human smuggling operation that trafficked people from India across the northern border with Canada into the United States.
The accused has been identified as Shivam LNU, 22.
According to court documents, Shivam coordinated smuggling operations from at least October 2024 through June 2025, overseeing the illegal transportation of individuals across the U.S.-Canada border into the Northern District of New York, the United States Department of Justice said in a statement.
Authorities said Shivam’s role involved directing drivers to pick up migrants after they crossed the border and transport them deeper into the United States, including to stash houses across northern New York and hotels in Plattsburgh.
The department said Shivam expected payment for his role and, in turn, paid his drivers for each individual they successfully smuggled.
Providing further details, officials said that on January 25, 2025, Shivam instructed a co-conspirator to smuggle 12 people from India and the United Kingdom from Canada into the United States. He allegedly paid the co-conspirator $100 per person.
On January 26, 2025, United States Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles traveling in tandem near the U.S.-Canada border. Both vehicles accelerated in an attempt to evade authorities, triggering a pursuit.
One vehicle veered off the road and became immobilized, while the second was later stopped in Mooers. Officials said the two vehicles were carrying a total of 12 undocumented migrants.
Shivam pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit human smuggling and three counts of human smuggling for financial gain.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum penalty of 15 years.
A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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