Cargo Theft: Driver Charged in $12 Million Scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged a commercial truck driver in connection with an alleged cargo theft scheme involving at least 24 freight shipments and more than $12 million in stolen merchandise. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the charges on October 21, 2026. Investigators say the operation involved taking control of established trucking companies and using their identities to secure freight contracts.

According to federal authorities, the suspects used legitimate carrier credentials to gain the trust of freight brokers. Once shipments were picked up, the cargo never reached its intended destination. The case highlights how cargo theft can involve more than stolen trailers or freight taken from parking areas. Criminals can also use established trucking businesses to obtain shipments through fraudulent agreements.

Driver Charged in Federal Cargo Theft Investigation

Nursulton Izzatulloevich Khaydarov, 33, a citizen of Uzbekistan and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been charged with conspiracy. According to the DOJ, Khaydarov possessed a valid CDL issued by New Jersey. Federal authorities arrested him on June 1, 2026, in Ontario, California, following a criminal complaint.

On September 22, a federal grand jury in New Haven, Connecticut, returned an indictment charging him with conspiracy. Khaydarov appeared in federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on October 21 and pleaded not guilty. He has remained in custody since his arrest. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Prosecutors emphasized that the indictment contains allegations, not findings of guilt. Khaydarov is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

How the Alleged Cargo Theft Scheme Worked

According to federal investigators, the operation began around September 2025 and involved several motor carrier companies. Rather than simply creating new trucking businesses, the suspects allegedly purchased or took control of existing carriers.

They obtained access to important business information, including:

• U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers.
• Motor carrier identification (MC) numbers.
• Business email accounts.
• The identities of previous company owners.
• Established carrier reputations and business relationships.

Investigators say the suspects then impersonated the former owners to negotiate freight transportation contracts. Because the companies already had established identities, the individuals allegedly used those reputations to gain the trust of freight brokers.

Once a transportation agreement was secured, a driver would collect the shipment from a distribution facility. However, the freight would not arrive at its scheduled destination. The missing cargo would later be reported stolen. Federal prosecutors also allege that individuals involved in the operation sometimes demanded ransom payments in exchange for returning stolen shipments.

More Than $12 Million in Freight Allegedly Stolen

The DOJ estimates that the alleged conspiracy involved at least 24 stolen cargo loads.

The merchandise included several types of commercial freight:

• Hard drives and computer equipment.
• Stereo systems and other electronics.
• Clothing and consumer products.
• Food shipments.
• Nicotine products.
• Other commercial goods.

Federal investigators estimate that the stolen merchandise connected to Khaydarov’s alleged personal involvement had a retail value exceeding $12 million. The investigation has focused on cargo thefts originating in California and other locations.

Authorities have not publicly identified every trucking company or freight broker affected by the alleged operation. The DOJ announcement also did not specify how much of the missing merchandise has been recovered.

Investigators Identify Multiple Fraudulent Driver’s Licenses

Another part of the investigation involves the alleged use of fraudulent identification documents. According to the indictment, Khaydarov possessed five fraudulent driver’s licenses issued under different names.

The names listed by prosecutors were:

• Sayid Makhmudarov.
• Rustam Mavlonov.
• Dmitri Aganin.
• Roman Smirov.
• Kairat Nurtas.

Investigators say the licenses displayed photographs of Khaydarov with altered facial features. Federal authorities allege that these documents were connected to his involvement in the cargo theft conspiracy.

The discovery adds another element to the case, which already involves the alleged misuse of trucking company identities and federal carrier registration information.

Why Carrier Identity Theft Matters to the Trucking Industry

The alleged operation demonstrates how established motor carrier identities can be exploited to obtain freight. USDOT and MC numbers are commonly used to identify trucking companies operating in interstate commerce. Freight brokers also rely on carrier information when arranging shipments.

In this case, prosecutors allege that individuals gained control of existing companies and used their credentials to obtain transportation contracts. The situation raises concerns about whether a carrier’s established operating history always reflects who currently controls the business. It also illustrates the potential consequences of unauthorized access to company email accounts, ownership information, and other business credentials.

For legitimate trucking companies, carrier identity fraud can create risks beyond the immediate loss of cargo. Misuse of a company’s identity may also affect its business relationships and reputation. For freight brokers and shippers, the allegations highlight the importance of confirming who is actually operating under a carrier’s credentials. The investigation has not established that the affected brokers or legitimate carriers knowingly participated in the alleged thefts.

FBI and USDOT Continue Cargo Theft Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the ongoing investigation with assistance from several federal and local agencies.

Participating organizations include:

• U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.
• Homeland Security Investigations.
• Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
• Fullerton Police Department in California.
• Ontario Police Department in California.
• Other state and local law enforcement agencies.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Larysa J. Kern. Federal officials say the prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which brings multiple agencies together to investigate organized criminal activity.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the alleged cargo theft operation and its participants. The FBI’s New Haven Field Office is requesting information relevant to the case at 203-777-6311.

The case remains pending, and no determination of Khaydarov’s guilt has been made. As the investigation continues, the allegations illustrate how cargo theft schemes can exploit legitimate trucking company credentials, freight brokerage relationships, and driver identification documents.