DOJ Charges Uzbek National in Carrier-Identity Cargo Theft Ring
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut said a federal grand jury in New Haven indicted Nursulton Izzatulloevich Khaydarov, 33, a citizen of Uzbekistan, on a conspiracy charge tied to a multi-state trucking cargo theft scheme. According to the office, Khaydarov and co-conspirators since about September 2025 bought or took over motor carrier companies, including their DOT numbers, MC numbers, business email accounts and owner identities. Posing as the prior owners, they allegedly used the carriers' reputations to land interstate shipment contracts with freight brokers, then had drivers pick up loads that never reached their destinations. Co-conspirators sometimes demanded ransom for return of stolen freight, the office said.
The indictment alleges at least 24 stolen loads carrying hard drives, electronics, clothing, food items and nicotine products, with the retail value of goods tied to Khaydarov's personal involvement exceeding $12 million. Khaydarov, a lawful permanent resident with a valid New Jersey CDL, also allegedly carried fraudulent licenses under five false names. He was arrested June 1, 2026, in Ontario, California, indicted September 22, and pleaded not guilty at arraignment. He remains detained. Conspiracy carries up to five years in prison. The FBI-led investigation involved DOT's Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations under the Homeland Security Task Force.
What's next
- Case proceeds in U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut (Bridgeport); no trial date given in the release.
- DOJ says the investigation is ongoing; additional charges or defendants are possible.
All sources
- Homeland Security Task Force: Uzbekistan National Charged with Stealing Trucking Cargo Theft Shipments — U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut), 2026-10-21
