A 22-year-old Indian national has been indicted in New York for allegedly orchestrating a human smuggling operation that transported fellow Indian nationals from Canada into the United States.
Federal prosecutors say Shivam Lnu ran the smuggling network from January to June 2025, directing the illegal movement of dozens of people across the northern border into Clinton County, New York.
On 26 January 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles travelling together near the border. Both vehicles fled, prompting a chase. One car went off the road, while the other was later stopped in Mooers, New York.
Authorities discovered 12 undocumented migrants inside. WhatsApp messages allegedly linked the drivers to Lnu, showing coordination of multiple smuggling trips, including instructions to safe houses and “proof of life” photos.
Lnu faces one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens into the U.S. and four counts of illegally bringing aliens into the country for financial gain. Each count carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, with a mandatory minimum of five years if convicted on all counts.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva and Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced the indictment, noting it is part of a broader effort by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) to target leaders of transnational human smuggling operations.
JTFA, a partnership between the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, has previously led to more than 435 arrests and over 385 convictions of individuals involved in human smuggling and trafficking across the Americas, Canada, and the Caribbean.
The case is also tied to Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartel-led smuggling networks. Investigators involved include Homeland Security Investigations’ Rouses Point office, U.S. Border Patrol’s Burke Station, and CBP’s National Targeting Center.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt will prosecute the case. Lnu is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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