A mosque in Maineville, Ohio, has become a focal point for concerns over foreign-owned trucking companies and alleged fraud, revealing troubling financial ties to Uzbekistan.
MAINEVILLE, OHIO — The Islamic Center of Maineville, a mosque under construction in rural southwest Ohio, has drawn attention amid rising concerns about foreign-owned trucking companies and associated fraud. A review by Fox News Digital has uncovered significant financial connections between the mosque, various trucking companies, and the government of Uzbekistan.
Located about a mile north of the main intersection in Maineville, a small village in Warren County with a population of approximately 1,400, the Islamic Center has been in development for four years, following its approval by Hamilton Township in April 2022. The mosque has reportedly received substantial donations from trucking firms that have been cited for serious safety and compliance violations.
The mosque’s Telegram channel, which has around 3,600 members, has actively solicited donations and acknowledged partnerships with trucking companies. Screenshots from the channel reveal donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars from local trucking companies owned by Uzbeks.
Among the notable contributors is Buraq Limited, a Springboro trucking company linked to Rukhshona Sultonova, which donated at least $28,000 through 28 separate gifts. However, records indicate that the company has faced numerous safety violations, including multiple English-proficiency issues and violations related to electronic logging devices (ELDs).
Another contributor, Premier Trucking Group Inc., owned by Sam Avazov, has accumulated over 100 violations, including unsafe driving and invalid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). In September, the Islamic Center shared a screenshot of a $1,000 donation from Premier Trucking Group, which has contributed at least $25,000 to the mosque.
Foko Logistics LLC, owned by Abubakr Olimov, made a single donation of $20,000 to the mosque. The company has a troubling record, with 52 violations across 37 inspections, including serious vehicle maintenance issues. Similarly, Maca Transportation and Services LLC, owned by Muminkhuja Kholkhujaev, donated at least $7,000 and has been cited for 120 violations.
One trucking company, Phoenix Cargo, donated $150,000 to the mosque and played a role in organizing fundraising efforts. The company stated that while it made significant contributions, this amount represents only a fraction of the mosque’s total construction budget. Phoenix Cargo has also faced hundreds of safety violations.
Attempts to reach the Islamic Center for comment were unsuccessful. However, the mosque previously stated its commitment to operating responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws.
Nodawolf, an online researcher documenting alleged trucking fraud in the area, expressed concern over the fundraising efforts for the mosque. He noted that many of the Uzbek trucking companies involved have been repeatedly cited for serious inspection violations, suggesting a troubling pattern of non-compliance with U.S. regulations.
Additionally, Fox News Digital inquired about a Telegram channel administrator named “Bek A,” believed to be Bekhzod Asrarov, an Uzbek truck driver implicated in a fatal accident earlier this year. Authorities reported that Asrarov struggled to communicate in English at the scene and allegedly tampered with evidence post-accident. The mosque did not respond to inquiries regarding this matter.
The Islamic Center’s website claims it does not solicit donations from foreign governments or organizations, yet its Telegram account indicates close ties with the Uzbek government, particularly concerning trucking enterprises. The Hamkor Uz Cincinnati Association, a nonprofit established in 2020 to support the Uzbek community, is identified as the owner of the property where the mosque is being built.
Telegram screenshots reviewed by Fox News Digital reveal connections to former Uzbek officials, including Erkinbay Abdulla, described as someone who “creates the trucking companies.” Another screenshot features a statement from Sukhrob Norbekov, a former Uzbek official associated with the mosque.
Current officials from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies also appear to have connections to the mosque and local trucking industry. Photos posted on the mosque’s Telegram account show a delegation from Uzbekistan visiting the U.S. in April 2025, including Ambassador Furqat Sidiqov.
Nodawolf expressed concern about the organized nature of the Uzbek trucking companies, suggesting they may be exploiting gaps in U.S. regulations. Local residents have voiced their worries about the influx of Uzbek trucking firms and potential safety issues to their elected officials, but many feel their concerns have been largely ignored.
Ohio Republican state Rep. Michelle Teska, who represents most of Warren County, has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening commercial driver licensing requirements. She noted that the ability to take driver examinations in multiple languages could pose significant safety risks.
Authorities in Warren County have increased their focus on the trucking industry, with the Hamilton Township Police Department actively monitoring traffic safety and collaborating with public safety partners to address violations.
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell acknowledged that while mosque fundraising is not inherently problematic, there are concerning trends within the Uzbek community that warrant attention from law enforcement. He noted an increase in cases involving Uzbeks, prompting the need for more interpreters in the courts.
Census data from 2024 indicates that approximately 1,500 individuals born in Uzbekistan reside in Greater Cincinnati, with estimates suggesting that around 4,000 Uzbek families live in southern Ohio. Community leaders emphasize their commitment to becoming integrated members of the local community.
“This is our motherland now,” said Nodirjon Ernazarov, a board member of Hamkor Uz, highlighting the Uzbek population’s efforts to establish roots in the area. However, it is worth noting that Ernazarov also owns a trucking company that has made significant donations to the mosque and has faced multiple safety violations.
Fox News Digital reached out to all trucking companies mentioned in this report for comment.
According to Fox News Digital, the situation raises critical questions about the intersection of community, safety, and regulatory compliance in the context of an evolving immigrant population.