In New York, members of a criminal group composed of Uzbek nationals have appeared in court, accused of a series of major cargo thefts in the northeastern United States. According to the Manhattan District Attorney's office, the perpetrators stole tobacco products, artisan cheeses, and other goods from warehouses totaling $4.5 million.
The alleged leader of the group, Murodullo "Murad" Khasanov, along with his accomplices Nodir Kobilov and Alexei Vorobyov, faced the court. According to the investigation, the gang operated using a scheme reminiscent of Hollywood crime dramas but with modern digital technology. Instead of armed robberies, they hacked into transportation companies' computer systems, forged documents, and won cargo transport tenders by posing as legitimate contractors.
After obtaining fake waybills, the gang's drivers would go to warehouses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, pick up the goods, and transport them to New York for sale on the black market. From October last year to April this year, six major thefts were recorded. The perpetrators seized $3.3 million worth of cigarettes, $432,000 worth of artisan cheeses (including Parmesan, Pecorino, and Manchego), as well as large quantities of beef, lamb, and copper cable.
The proceeds from the criminal business allowed the defendants to lead a lavish lifestyle. Khasanov lived in an upscale residential complex on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn with ocean views, drove a luxury Range Rover SUV, and spent large sums of cash in nightclubs. During a search of his apartment, investigators seized computers, phones, and boxes of documents.
It emerged during the proceedings that the defendants entered the US illegally, do not speak English, and communicated via WhatsApp messenger, where they also shared photos of meetings and the process of reloading stolen goods. In court, all detainees pleaded not guilty. Khasanov's defense tried to downplay the situation by claiming he "works in the food sales industry," which drew laughter in the courtroom. Prosecutors insisted on detaining the group's leader, citing a high flight risk — Khasanov is also wanted internationally via Interpol at the request of Uzbekistan for fraud. The court set bail at $1.5 million in cash but kept him in custody pending further hearings. His accomplices Kobilov and Vorobyov were released under judicial supervision. The remaining five alleged gang members are either in immigration custody or wanted.
Source: podrobno.uz