Duo admit smuggling people from India into the United States

NEWARK — Two men from India pleaded guilty on Monday for their roles in helping to illegally bring people into the country.

U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said Nileshkumar Patel, 42, and Harsad Mehta, 68, both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to smuggle foreign nationals into the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

Fishman said the pair admitted that between June of 2013 and October of 2015 they worked to recruit people from India to come to the United States as a way for them to make money. On July 24, 2014, two people from India were brought to Bangkok to be taken to the United States, Fishman said. They also admitted to paying a man, who was actually an undercover officer, to help bring the people from Thailand to New Jersey.

The conspiracy charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 16.

The investigation was assisted by the US Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations under the direction of Special Agent In Charge Terence S. Opiola.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com