Federal authorities announced that Nursulton Izzatulloevich Khaydarov, 33, a citizen of Uzbekistan, has been indicted for his alleged involvement in the theft of numerous trucking cargo shipments.
A Homeland Security Task Force has been investigating numerous trucking cargo thefts from locations in California and elsewhere, according to the release announcing the indictment.
This investigation alleges that, since approximately September 2025, Khaydarov and others involved in the scheme purchased or otherwise assumed control of multiple motor carrier companies, including their U.S. Department of Transportation numbers, motor carrier identification numbers, business email accounts, and the identities of their owners. They then allegedly posed as the previous business owner and exploited the reputation and trust of an established business to obtain contracts for interstate shipments. Once they negotiated a contract with a freight broker for an interstate shipment, a driver picked up the shipment from the distribution location. However, the load did not make it to its intended destination and was subsequently reported stolen. At times, co-conspirators made ransom demands for the return of the stolen load.
The indictment alleges that Khaydarov, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., had a valid New Jersey commercial driver’s license. He also possessed fraudulent driver’s licenses in the names of “Sayid Makhmudarov,” “Rustam Mavlonov,” “Dmitri Aganin,” “Roman Smirov,” and “Kairat Nurtas.” The driver’s licenses depicted a photograph of Khaydarov, but with altered facial features.
It is also alleged that the conspiracy has involved thefts of at least 24 cargo loads containing hard drives, stereo equipment, clothing, electronics, computer equipment, food items, nicotine products, and other goods. To date, the estimated retail value of the stolen products of the cargo thefts Khaydarov was personally involved in is more than $12 million.
Khaydarov was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 1, 2026, in Ontario, California. On September 22, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Khaydarov with conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Khaydarov appeared federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has been detained since his arrest.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
