Find an article that discusses the number of people that attempt to get away with mailing cannabis through the United States Postal Service. Tracking will not tell you if it has been seized, but you would get a letter from customs stating that your package contained illegal items, was seized, but all other legal items were returned to the package. Each facility routes the package to the next facility based on the address and ZIP code on the package. Also make sure that you are not using USPS mail services for business purposes. Your attorney can write a letter to the agent explaining that you are represented by counsel. You should assume that the chances of getting caught mailing weed are high. The mailmen themselves do not perform the search and arrest, but rather they merely transport the suspect to a law enforcement officer. You can legally order these from a California cannabis dispensary, but your friend will have to get them shipped from a dispensary in the state where he lives, and pay for the shipping and handling. 2013 - 2023 Sammis Law Firm P.A. The sender and receiver can face fines or even jail time if they are found guilty. Sending controlled substances through the mail (without a license) is illegal. 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. Why Do the United States Postal Service Scan Packages? The report found several reasons, a.k.a . Why are so many packages getting lost with USPS? Feds use dogs to sniff out drugs in mail packages. However, suppose you are sending something other than alcohol, so you use a box that hitherto contained alcohol. USPIS is also committed to crime prevention and victim assistance. The OIG also recommends that the USPS repackage all suspect parcels in scent-proof packaging, a trick which Canada Post uses to prevent illegal weed packages from being stolen by their own employees. To find prohibited items such as U.S. Currency, the police might look for packages that are heavily taped, vacuum-sealed, or use insulated bags or foam insulation. A letter might be sent while the mail is being withheld from delivery. As part of the security conditions for this mail class, Registered Mail must be sent with proof of mailing which requires a trip to the Post Office (you cannot deposit your package in a collection box). No. Venderswork hard to make the items in these packages look innocuous. X-Raying/scanning is the standard method when mailing goods by USPS. Some people may attempt to send drugs through the mail because they believe the Fourth Amendment protects them from having their packages searched. As your package moves, it must go through several sorting facilities. Find out what happens when the USPS finds drugs, marijuana, or cannabis. UPS can "intercept" a package that they feel is suspicious. But keep in mind the authorities are on the lookout for suspicious packages in the mail and can detect drugs in various ways. what happens when you ship weed, edibles, prescription drugs, etc? Carriers use a handheld Mobile Delivery Device (MDD) to scan and transmit package tracking data. Box where the items are shipped in order to make an arrest. You have such easy access, so why not share? Call 1-877-876-2455. 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. These detectives are better capable of seeking illicit drugs, mail fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and cybercrime . USPS is a federal entity; thus, using its service to commit any criminal act is a felony. Besides, Does USPS scan packages [] Tampa, FL 33602 What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package? New weapon in fight against opioid epidemic; Matt Finn reports from Chicago. Yes, even if you have an honest prescription for such drugs or pain relievers, you need the necessary license to ship. Under federal laws, drug trafficking charges for prescription drugs are up to: This is from a Former Postmaster from USPS, who says: Postal Inspectors may not open mail while it is considered mail. This is only available in certain areas, though it seems to be fairly broad. If drugs are found, a controlled delivery of the package will be conducted by undercover officers. When USPS finds drugs in a package, they will seize that package. While misdirected USPS shipments are often returned to the sender, you may lose money and have to submit a payment claim if you do not need an exact memory location. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Advertisement Postal inspectors can screen packages to check for drugs like marijuana and other substances. The letter is sometimes sent to the sender orrecipient when other attempts to contact them to obtain additional information were unsuccessful. Lets say that you were not mailing illegal substances. The buyer often requests that the packages are sent to neighbors and unsuspecting friends, family, and co-workers. whether the person named on the package actually lives at the residence; whether other similar items have been shipped to that location or that person; whether the person named on the package was present at the time delivery was expected. 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. Forensic Laboratory Services of the USPIS The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) uses forensic scientists and technical specialists at the National Forensic Laboratory in Dulles, VA, to identify, apprehend, prosecute, and convict individuals responsible for postal-related criminal offenses. If you are the target of a criminal investigation, you should consider exercising both of those important rights at every stage of the case. While the USPS provides a customer service hotline that you can contact in the event of missing mail or missing packages (You can reach the USPS Customer Care Center Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8:30 PM and on Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM EST at 1-800-275-8777), the fastest way to get help is to simply call the post office . Do not answer any questions, in fact, do not speak except to invoke your right to have an attorney present. It is not legal advice. The United States Postal Service had 120 days from the signing of the bill to create regulations to impose the ban. 2 Can you get in trouble if someone sends you something illegal in the mail? Depending on how those questions were answered, the agent might come out to the residence to conduct an additional investigation. Some over-the-counter drugs are subject to the same regulations. Check out marijuana legalities by the state to see your local weed laws. Mailpiece is leaking an unknown powdery substance. | Creative Founders, Inconsistencies in Email Addresses, Links & Domain Names. Finding the right attorney is an important decision. The penalty for mailing prescription drugs is very heavy. When you suspect a package is lost, wait it out a maximum of seven days beyond the day of expected delivery If youre not transporting anything illegal and merely want to keep the container as ordinary and straightforward as possible discreetly. It does not store any personal data. do they need search warrants to bust you? It power be in an anonymized zip code. While misdirected USPS shipments are often returned to the sender, you may lose money and have to submit a payment claim if you do not need an exact memory location. Unwitting non-criminal persons, on the other hand, may inadvertently send commodities that energy endanger others. Although the United States Postal Inspector Service (USPIS) targets members of drug rings who use the mail to illegally traffic their product, they rarely catch those higher level players. 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. Law enforcement will bring drug dogs to determine if USPS found drugs in a package. Drug traffickers like express mail because it enables them to track the location of the package. Mainly to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures.. According to the Due Process clause, which states: The citizens right to be reliable in their personnel, houses, paper works, and effects against search and seizure shall not be overlooked, and no law shall issue unless supported by adequate evidence, supported by affidavits, and specifically explaining its place to be tried to search and the participants or aspects to be seized. You can, however, send over-the-counter drugs through the mail anything that does not require a prescription. While the US Postal Service assures the quickest shipment possible to establish its size and breadth, it should also be diligent regarding security. Get Directions. Federal law provides for harsh penalties for mailing drugs. - Caitlyn Johnson. Yes, you can send over-the-counter drugs through the mail. If you are under investigation for either sending or receiving drugs or other contraband through the mail or a common carrier such as FedEx or UPS, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm in Tampa, FL, to discuss your case. 2. If the drugs are packaged unusually, there is a strong likelihood that USPS will discuss them. According to the USPS, first class letters and parcels are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and, as such, cannot be opened without a search warrant.. 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?. Some of the additional reasons that an indictment will be dismissed are listed below. The increased charges, combined with a new rule aimed at curbing the flow of illegal drugs, has had significant impacts for some. And both federal and state laws will apply to your drug trafficking charges. 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