Eight Charged in $10M Cargo Theft Ring Using Carrier Impersonation

Federal prosecutors in New York charged eight people in an alleged international cargo theft conspiracy that stole at least $10 million in freight between March 2023 and the present. The indictment alleges the organization impersonated legitimate carriers to obtain loads, then diverted the freight and removed tracking devices before selling the stolen goods.

Authorities arrested Vagan Gulian, Zhirayr Gumruyan, and Araik Setrakian in California. Vitaly Koshelan was arrested in Florida. Jashanpreet Singh was arrested in Pennsylvania. Arkadiy Pastin was arrested in New York. Sevak Kocharian was already in custody on a separate case. Edgar Bezhanian remains at large. All eight face conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property charges. Kocharian also faces a separate conspiracy to commit extortion charge in a different pending federal case.

How did the alleged cargo theft ring operate?

Prosecutors allege members of the organization impersonated legitimate carriers and other supply chain companies to obtain transportation contracts. Once they secured a load, the indictment states they diverted freight, altered delivery information, and removed cargo tracking devices before unloading and selling the stolen goods. The group relied on a dispatcher located abroad and facilitators, drivers, and workers operating in the United States.

The organization targeted electronics, liquor, meat, fish, eggs, clothing, skincare products, and cryptocurrency mining machines. Prosecutors allege some merchandise was sold to buyers who knowingly purchased stolen property for resale.

What loads did the ring allegedly steal?

Prosecutors allege members stole a whiskey shipment worth more than $360,000 that was scheduled to move from Texas to New Jersey. The indictment states Kocharian and Setrakian later attempted to sell thousands of bottles below market value and discussed storing additional stolen freight in warehouses.

The group also allegedly stole a shipment of skincare and hair care products worth more than $114,000 during May 2025. The shipment was scheduled to move from Ohio to California. According to the indictment, Setrakian coordinated delivery instructions while Koshelan and Pastin transported and unloaded the cargo.

The indictment describes the alleged theft of approximately 23,400 dozen eggs valued at about $51,000. The shipment was scheduled to travel from Pennsylvania to Utah. Prosecutors allege Bezhanian directed Pastin to retrieve the load from a warehouse before part of the shipment was offered for sale.

Federal prosecutors further allege the organization stole a clothing shipment valued at about $1.2 million during July 2025. The shipment was scheduled to move from North Carolina to Ohio. The indictment also describes a separate July 2025 theft involving a liqueur shipment valued at about $300,000 that was traveling from New Jersey to Virginia.

What penalties do the defendants face?

If convicted on the conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Kocharian's separate extortion conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Any sentence will be determined by a federal judge. Prosecutors said the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

United States Attorney Jay Clayton said organized cargo theft threatens the integrity of the nation's commercial supply chain. FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. said the defendants allegedly participated in an international network that stole merchandise and resold it for profit.

What should carriers verify before accepting a broker load?

Carrier impersonation schemes like the one alleged in this indictment rely on criminals posing as legitimate motor carriers to obtain loads. Brokers should verify a carrier's USDOT number, MC number, and operating authority status through FMCSA's SAFER system before tendering a load. Check that the carrier contact information matches the registration on file. Confirm the driver's identity and CDL at pickup. When a carrier's representative requests last-minute changes to delivery instructions or asks you to disable tracking, that is a red flag.

Small fleets should also protect their own identities. Criminals steal legitimate carrier credentials through phishing emails and use those credentials to book fraudulent loads. Monitor your company's load activity. If a broker calls about a load you never booked, someone may be using your carrier packet to commit fraud. Report the incident to the broker, FMCSA, and local law enforcement immediately.