California Cargo Thieves Get a Costly Surprise, Land Line Media Reports
A federal jury has convicted two Indian nationals in a cargo theft conspiracy that prosecutors said used legitimate trucking companies to obtain shipping contracts and steal at least $2 million worth of freight from warehouses in Southern California and Texas.
Companies Used to Secure Shipping Contracts
According to evidence presented during a seven-day trial, the conspiracy operated from March 2024 through June 2025. Arshpreet Singh and his co-conspirators allegedly purchased or fraudulently used legitimate motor carriers to bid on authentic transportation contracts.
After securing the jobs, members of the group collected cargo from warehouses but failed to complete the deliveries. Prosecutors said the stolen freight was then diverted rather than transported to its intended destinations.
Electronics and Consumer Goods Stolen
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California placed the total value of the stolen cargo at least $2 million. The shipments included televisions, laptops, household appliances, vacuums, LED lights, shoes, tires and other consumer goods.
The reported thefts occurred in Fontana, Vernon, Santa Fe Springs, Perris, City of Industry, Long Beach, Compton, Commerce, Pico Rivera, Chino and Moreno Valley. Investigators also tied the conspiracy to a shipment stolen in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Texas Carrier Allegedly Purchased
In one case, prosecutors said Singh agreed in March 2024 to purchase Texas-based Z&F Transportation LLC for approximately $22,000. The company was allegedly used as part of the broader effort to obtain legitimate freight contracts.
Two trailers connected to the investigation were recovered by Newark police and returned to the company. Authorities said the thieves apparently opened the trailers, found nothing of value and abandoned them in a parking lot.
Convictions
The jury found Singh and the second defendant guilty of conspiracy to steal cargo. The case involved a broader network of alleged cargo thieves, according to federal prosecutors. The raw case information did not include sentencing details.
