A citizen of Uzbekistan is on trial in the U.S. over the theft of cargo worth more than 12 million dollars

Charges and scale of the scheme

A 33-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan residing in the United States is charged with conspiracy to steal cargo transported by truck. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, the alleged losses from cargo thefts in which he participated exceed 12 million dollars. According to the outlet Zamon.uz, the detainee's surname is Khaidarov.

How the scheme worked

The investigation uncovered a scheme that had been operating since at least September 2025. The defendant and his accomplices acquired or controlled several freight trucking companies, including their registration numbers with the U.S. Department of Transportation, carrier data, corporate email addresses, and information about owners. Using the reputation of existing companies, they entered into contracts with freight brokers for interstate transportation. Drivers picked up cargo from warehouses and distribution centers, but the goods were never delivered to the specified addresses and, reportedly, were subsequently stolen. In some cases, the accomplices demanded ransom for the return of the stolen cargo.

What was stolen and what was found on the defendant

According to the prosecution, the scheme involved at least 24 freight shipments. Among the stolen items were hard drives, audio equipment, clothing, electronics, computer hardware, food products, nicotine-containing products, and other goods. Investigators noted that the man, who holds a commercial driver's license valid in the state of New Jersey, also had five other counterfeit driver's licenses issued under different names; these documents featured his photograph with altered facial features.

Course of the case

The man was arrested on June 1, 2026, in the city of Ontario, California. On September 22, a federal grand jury indicted him. On October 21, he appeared in federal court in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty. The defendant has been in custody since his arrest. The charge of conspiracy to steal cargo carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison. The prosecution emphasizes that an indictment does not prove a person's guilt: Khaidarov is presumed innocent until his guilt is proven in court.

Context and significance

The case illustrates how, according to the investigation, the perpetrators used the legitimate infrastructure of freight transportation — the reputation of existing companies and contracts with brokers — to steal goods worth a large sum. For the Uzbek diaspora in the United States, this is a high-profile case, but the publication concerns a specific defendant and contains no data on other citizens of Uzbekistan. The practical significance for shippers and brokers is the risk of non-delivery of cargo when working with carriers: according to the prosecution, at least 24 shipments were not delivered as part of the scheme. The outcome of the trial and the final amount of the losses are not yet knownbecause the proceedings are not yet complete.