Say you arent a member of a drug cartel; youre just an average citizen living in California, who wants to send their friend in a neighboring state a bag of weed gummies for their birthday. What Qualifies a Package as Suspect in the Eyes of USPS? New weapon in fight against opioid epidemic; Matt Finn reports from Chicago. How many packages get seizedRead More Arrests related to mailing controlled substances fell for the second year in a row. If your currency was seized, we take the case on contingency so that you dont pay any attorney fees unless we get your property back. Call us to schedule a time to talk with the attorneys in the office or over the phone. While USPS doesnt actually have dogs sniffing for drugs, it does work with local police departments to use their dogs as part of their drug interdiction efforts. I think maybe if I tried calling, it might have been more clear. 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Your USPS tracking will say Seized By Law Enforcement.. You deserve reliable attorneys who get results. Drug traffickers like express mail because it enables them to track the location of the package. This warrant allows police officers to open your package. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Once the item has been "seized," a drug dog . Your attic may be under-insulated how to be sure about this? If you receive such a letter, consider contacting us to discuss the case BEFORE you call the 1-800 number or talk with an investigator. You are breaking state and federal laws when mailing prescription drugs. The agents often come to a persons home or business unannounced in order to catch them off guard. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We also represent criminal defendants accused in federal and state courts related to marijuana and other substance abuse charges. Mainly to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures.. A letter might be sent while the mail is being withheld from delivery. Narcotics are controlled substances, while other drugs do not need a prescription. Download the USPS Mobile Application on the Apple and Google Play Stores, which offers the Informed Delivery feature. Here is what you need to know, so you dont go making this mistake! Our criminal defense law firms can defend you against drug trafficking charges. During Fiscal Year 2018, Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners seized approximately 96,668 pounds of mailed narcotics and other drugs and obtained 1,624 convictions for narcotics-related crimes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Learn more about the attorney's qualifications and experience in fighting criminal cases. The most important thing Ive learned from my studies and years of experience is patience. . They can request a search warrant to open suspicious packages. The appeal is governed by the Rules of Practice in Proceedings Relative to Mailability found in Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 953. Postal Inspection Service showed that they arrested 1,118 suspects and seized $4.78 million in assets related to investigations of drugs found in the mail. C) I got a call from the USPS telling me to call them about a package I sent, and it was my marijuana. If drugs are found, a "controlled delivery" of the package will be conducted by undercover officers.Basically, a controlled delivery is simply an undercover cop dressing up as a mailman, driving the mail truck to the address, and even delivering mail to neighbors to make the delivery seem more believable. DO NOT go into USPS to pick up seized drug packages from the post office. Because there is so much marijuana being mailed out of Colorado that the federal government is unlikely to bring a charge against you. Also, What makes a package suspicious USPS? You are only permitted to mail prescription drugs via the USPS if you are a pharmacist or medical provider mailing such drugs to the patient they have been prescribed to. There is nothing special about drugs that need a prescription, with the exception of narcotics. While the United States Postal Service maintains its own staff of inspectors who perform drug searches, arrests take place in conjunction with local law enforcement. However, inspectors are looking at the big picture, and so this factor, in conjunction with one or more of the others, means its time to bring in the K9 unit. The purpose of the letter is to inform the intended recipient that an item placed in the U.S. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (But private companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL can reserve the right to open packages.). No, They will manually enter the Tracking Number. Generally there is no reason for postal workers to look in your package. And when investigated, those inexperienced shippers are the most likely to forgo getting a criminal defense attorney and offer up a full confession when the agents knock on their front door. For packages shipped through UPS or FedEx, a local law enforcement agency at the state or local level might head up the initial investigation. While the US Postal Service assures the quickest shipment possible to establish its size and breadth, it should also be diligent regarding security. Basically, a controlled delivery is simply an undercover cop dressing up as a mailman, driving the mail truck to the address, and even delivering mail to neighbors to make the delivery seem more believable. Also its important to add: Writing Do Not X-Ray on your parcel is a huge red flag and will 100 percent draw attention to the contents inside. Scanning adds protection capacity to the USPS's legal limitations, which dissuades most but not all. But suppose you would like to carry booze. If drugs are found, a "controlled delivery" of the package will be conducted by undercover officers. Can you get in trouble if someone sends you something illegal in the mail? Prescriptions drugs can only be sent through the mail by approved vendors and they have to have the approval of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). It is at the point of delivery that Postal Inspectors have a search warrant. Packages nearly always arrive, tracking information is generally updated when products are checked, and if not, you may always register a claim! Because the irradiation process can dry out paper and yellow the mail, there may be more paper dust or roughness associated with this mail. At delivery, the mail piece is now not considered mail. Many of these investigations center around individuals using the United States Postal Service to ship pounds of marijuana in overnight packages. Herein, Can USPS check your package? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Yes, you can get in trouble if someone mails you drugs. This can also be seen as a problem as an unintended recipient can easily be arrested. It power be in an anonymized zip code. This website is for informational purposes only. USPS can "intercept" a package that they feel is suspicious. Postal Service is also unlawful under 18 U.S.C. (all You Need To Know), Does Costco Sell Plan B? USPS categorizes prohibited . Fill out the form above for your FREE consultation. A promotional sample package containing a mailable over the counter, non . Packages are shipped from a different postal code than what is shown on the return envelope. From the return address to the way the postage is purchased, venders are becoming more sophisticated. Depending on how those questions were answered, the agent might come out to the residence to conduct an additional investigation. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. (all You Need To Know), Can Usps Open Priority Mail? The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a variety of zip codes (01153, for illustration) that are particular to their facilities or activities. While USPS does not actually have drug sniffing dogs on staff, they do collaborate with local law enforcements K9 units. Your attorney can also contact the investigating officer to explain your side of the story if you are innocent of any criminal conduct. A package's outward form and weight may always be examined without reasonable suspicion of criminal . If you are not shipping illegal items, then it was intercepted for mailability determination. Learn more here. Following is a transcription of the video. After all, trying to send narcotics, including o*ioids such as h*roin, mar*juana (even now in decriminalized jurisdictions), and prescription drugs, is a felony. Except for promotional samples as described in 453.4 c, each mailpiece containing a mailable drug or medicine (that does not contain a controlled substance) must be held in a plain outer wrapper or packaging. USPS also says they rely on people also receiving the mail to be on the lookout for suspicious items. The agency also started to charge a fee to send out mail, such as letters, packages, and documents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Prescription drugs are not allowed to be sent through the mail by everyday citizens, even if the person sending them is the prescription holder. Furthermore, your unwitting friend, who maybe didnt even know they were the intended recipient of such a parcel, can also be arrested as its also illegal to receive mailed drugs. It is not legal advice. . This is to avoid dangerous packages getting into government buildings. Under federal laws, drug trafficking charges for marijuana are up to: Lets say you are receiving drugs in the mail from an in-state sender. It does not store any personal data. Drug sniffing dogs are incredibly important to seeking out drug traffickers, because USPS inspectors need "reasonable suspicion" to get a search warrant to actually open parcels. Because, you are a felon, and your friend is also a felon, and there are certain laws against having drug trafficking in the home. Its both agencies because youre mailing controlled substances through the postal service. The reason is that there is a fee associated with doing so. These agents want to question you BEFORE you have a chance to seek out a criminal defense attorney who can help you protect your right to remain silent. Who is the blonde girl in the new Verizon commercial? These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. You have the right to remain silent under the 5th amendment and the right to the assistance of counsel under the 6th amendment. X-Raying/scanning is the standard method when mailing goods by USPS. To learn more about mail fraud or to report suspected fraud, visit the U.S. But, lets say that the postal inspector believes that you are mailing drugs in a package. It is far more probable that USPS will identify your delivery as suspicious and move to X-Ray the box as soon as possible. If you prefer, you may have your attorney present even if you have not been arrested or charged with a crime. Yes, even if you have an honest prescription for such drugs or pain relievers, you need the necessary license to ship. Your attorney can explain the reason that you didnt know that the drugs, marijuana, currency or other contraband were being shipped to your residence or place of business. This is to reduce the risk of the prescription being altered by the person filling them. Well first off, dont panic. Stick with beans and prints and one can pretty much guarantee the arrival of a package using the USPS as . All this is particularly suspicious when in combination with any of the other factors below. Most likely, something was off with your package and they have set it aside. The postal service is a federal agency and youre shipping drugs across state lines. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Your attorney can write a letter to the agent explaining that you are represented by counsel. This application will no longer be available for download on your mobile device. (Free $350 value.). When a drug package gets seized by law enforcement in USPS, what happens? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You may send it using FedEx or UPS. (USPS requires a warrant based on probable cause to search a package for drugs. do they need search warrants to bust you? (all You Need To Know), How To Pass A Mouth Swab Drug Test For Amazon (What To Know), Can Usps Open Your Packages? When you try to send drugs from overseas by airmail using the US postal service, you are just asking for trouble. If drugs are found in the package, an undercover police officer will dress as the mailman and deliver the package. 1. If it gets damaged and opened and there appears to be a problem then the Postal Inspectors may get involved. Call 1-877-876-2455. And when they will open criminally classified mail.. What happens when USPS or FedEx finds weed in packages? Under federal laws, drug trafficking charges for mailing weed are up to: Drug trafficking is the selling, transporting, or importing of illegal drugs. You will know if your package was intercepted if your USPS tracking says: Either scenario means that your package was intercepted by the postal inspector. The increased charges, combined with a new rule aimed at curbing the flow of illegal drugs, has had significant impacts for some. On April 3, 2014, Former Attorney General Eric Holder, explained the problem to the Senate Appropriations Committee: The postal servicethe mails arebeing used to facilitate drug dealing It is shocking to see the amount of drugs that get pumped into communities all around this country through our mail system, and we have to deal with that.. A quick rundown is as follows: Handwritten recipient addresses but no return address, Confidential or Do Not X-Ray packages, Packages that are too hefty in comparison to their size. Penalties if you get caught shipping edibles are based on weight. Mailpiece is leaking an unknown powdery substance. What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package? Drug trafficking can happen in a variety of ways. The USPS investigators also attempt to intercept illegal drug proceeds that traffickers attempt to send through the mail. The packages are often shipped with fictitious sender and receiver names in a way that requires no signature for delivery. Does Chill Touch 5e work on trolls? For USPS, first-class letters and packages are protected under the Fourth Amendment. How can scammers use your phone number to hack your Instagram? As a result, the USPS may scan or x-ray parcels to protect either provision of public health & safety. My mind still lingers, what is that? More than36,000 pounds of the drugs seized were marijuana. Vendors cannot legally turn to USPS as a way to ship vape supplies or devices when the new law goes into effect March 27, 2021. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Although you might find links to other websites maintained by public entities or private third parties on this website, the presence of such a link does not imply an endorsement of the third party website or the accuracy of its content. USPS started to charge more to ship prescription drugs and other controlled substances in 2018. Narrator: About 1 million packages arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport every day. Its in queue at a USPS facility. Postal Inspection Service offices nationwide. Weve shipped and got hundreds of products (the majority of which were successfully tracked) with very few problems. The USPS randomly scans shipments, this is more prone to come in significant urban areas or for objects that seem suspect. Yes, you can send over-the-counter drugs through the mail. This article was last updated on Friday, June 10, 2022. Drug Trafficking in Florida and the USPS. Can you picture this as a Postal Service advertisement: "USPS the preferred shipper for almost all drug dealers!". I know the solution youre undoubtedly quite interested in learning about. CHICAGO Some of the frontlines in preventing lethal opioids and fentanyl from getting into American communities happens to be at the United States Postal Service. The United States Postal Service takes drug trafficking very seriously. Manage Settings Here are some things that USPS looks for: But it is not legal to mail prescription drugs. I want to talk to the attorney! Mailing any type of drug is drug trafficking. Basically, a controlled delivery is simply an undercover cop dressing up as a mailman, driving the mail truck to the address, and even delivering mail to neighbors to make the delivery seem more . 6. Find the answer to frequently asked questions including: Does the USPS scan packages for drugs and Can you get in trouble if someone mails me drugs?. Unfortunately, those types ofamateurs with the least experience are the MOST likely to be detected and investigated. What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package? Where should your Cannabis related investments go in 2018. We update the information on this website periodically, but the information on this site should not be used as legal advice for your personal problem. Basically, a controlled delivery is simply an undercover cop dressing up as a mailman, driving the mail truck to the address, and even delivering mail to neighbors to make the delivery seem more believable. There are no specific guidelines as to what may or may not be x-rayed, though mail sent to or through larger cities is likely to pass through an X-Ray machine. Metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc this warrant allows police officers to packages! And DHL can reserve the right to remain silent under the 5th amendment the... 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