Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed an indictment charging eight people in an alleged international cargo theft conspiracy that targeted commercial freight across the United States, according to FreightWaves. The organization is accused of stealing at least $10 million in cargo between March 2023 and the present, threatening the integrity of the nation's commercial supply chain, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said.
Indictment Details and Defendants
The indictment charges Vagan Gulian, Zhirayr Gumruyan, Sevak Kocharian, Araik Setrakian, Vitaly Koshelan, Arkadiy Pastin, Jashanpreet Singh, and Edgar Bezhanian with conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property. Kocharian also faces a separate conspiracy to commit extortion charge in a different pending federal case. Prosecutors emphasized the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Authorities arrested Gulian, Gumruyan, and Setrakian in California; Koshelan in Florida; Singh in Pennsylvania; Pastin in New York. Kocharian was already in custody on a separate case, while Bezhanian remains at large.
Method of Operation
According to the indictment, the organization targeted a wide range of goods: electronics, liquor, meat, fish, eggs, clothing, skincare products, and cryptocurrency mining machines. The group relied on a dispatcher located abroad and facilitators, drivers, and workers operating in the United States.
Prosecutors allege members impersonated legitimate carriers and other supply chain companies to obtain transportation contracts. They diverted freight, altered delivery information, and removed cargo tracking devices before unloading and selling the stolen goods. Some merchandise was sold to buyers who knowingly purchased stolen property for resale.
Specific Thefts Identified in the Indictment
The indictment outlines several alleged thefts. Below is a summary of key incidents:
| Shipment | Value | Route | Alleged Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whiskey | >$360,000 | Texas to New Jersey | Kocharian, Setrakian attempted to sell thousands of bottles below market value and discussed storing stolen freight in warehouses |
| Skincare and hair care products | >$114,000 | Ohio to California (May 2025) | Setrakian coordinated delivery; Koshelan and Pastin transported and unloaded cargo |
| Eggs (approx. 23,400 dozen) | ~$51,000 | Pennsylvania to Utah | Bezhanian directed Pastin to retrieve load; part offered for sale |
| Clothing | ~$1.2 million | North Carolina to Ohio (July 2025) | Details not fully specified in the indictment |
| Liqueur | ~$300,000 | New Jersey to Virginia (July 2025) | Details not fully specified |
The indictment also describes a separate alleged theft of a whiskey shipment worth more than $360,000 scheduled to move from Texas to New Jersey.
Penalties and Investigation
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. Actual sentences will be determined by a federal judge.
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.
Implications for Logistics Professionals
This case highlights the persistent threat of cargo theft, particularly through carrier impersonation and fraudulent booking schemes. Logistics managers and freight forwarders should strengthen verification processes for new carriers, enforce strict tracking protocols, and train staff to recognize red flags such as last-minute delivery instruction changes or requests to remove tracking devices. The sheer variety of stolen goods—from high-value electronics to perishable eggs—underscores that any commodity is vulnerable. Collaborating with law enforcement and investing in cargo security technology can help mitigate risks.
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