Fenil Patel, a man accused of smuggling a family of four who froze to death at the U.S.-Canada border, has been arrested in Canada. Authorities took him into custody following an extradition request from the United States, according to a spokesperson from the Canadian Justice Department. The arrest comes more than three years after the tragic incident in January 2022.

The Patel family, consisting of 39-year-old Jagdish Patel, his 37-year-old wife Vaishali, their 11-year-old daughter Vihangi, and three-year-old son Dharmik, died of hypothermia while attempting to cross into Minnesota near Emerson, Manitoba. Their frozen bodies were discovered just 12 meters from the border.

Indian police allege that Fenil Patel was one of two men who facilitated the family's journey during a severe snowstorm and freezing temperatures. In January 2023, Indian authorities charged him with culpable homicide and human smuggling in connection with the family's deaths. They claim he coordinated the final leg of the family's journey to the border.

Reports indicate that Patel has lived in various locations, including the U.S. and several Canadian cities. However, an investigation revealed he was residing quietly in a suburb outside Toronto. Despite multiple attempts to interview him, Patel did not respond to inquiries from the media.

Chaitanya Mandlik, a deputy commissioner with the Gujarat state police, stated that they had requested assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to locate and arrest Patel in Canada. However, it was unclear if an official extradition request had been made at that time.

During a trial in Minnesota, Patel's name surfaced multiple times. Two men, Steve Shand and Harshkumar Patel, were convicted for their roles in the smuggling operation involving the Patel family. Testimony revealed that Fenil Patel had rented a vehicle in Toronto shortly before the family attempted to cross the border. A witness, a convicted smuggler, testified that the Patel family had called Fenil Patel for help on the night they died, but no assistance arrived.

The case highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross borders illegally, especially under harsh weather conditions. The ongoing legal proceedings and extradition efforts underscore the complexities of international law enforcement in human smuggling cases.