Do packages get checked for drugs?

Postal inspectors can screen packages to check for drugs like marijuana and other substances. Some people may attempt to send drugs through the mail because they believe the Fourth Amendment protects them from having their packages searched.

What happens if USPS finds drugs in a package?

This means that if there an illegal act is committed through the USPS system, it is classified as a felony. Both the drug sender and recipient will face penalties. If the recipient was aware that the package contained illicit substances, then they are considered just as guilty as the person who mailed it.

What happens if you send drugs in mail?

If you get caught sending or receiving illegal drugs in the mail or through a parcel service like FedEx or UPS, you could be facing federal felony drug trafficking charges. It could mean years in prison and heavy fines.

Does UPS or FedEx check packages for drugs?

At FedEx and UPS, officers often gain permission to monitor packages at the site. In some cases, an employee at FedEx or UPS will call the police to alert them to a suspicious package. In other cases, a K9 drug dog might “alert” to a suspicious package.

How does a package get flagged?

Mail may be flagged if the letter or package is stained or is leaking. According to a USPS brochure, reused packaging and boxes are only acceptable when all markings and labels are removed or completely marked out.

How mail agencies identify suspicious packages

What is considered a suspicious package?

Common Characteristics of Suspicious Packages

Package or envelope with suspicious leaks, stains, or powdered substances. Package is rigid, bulky, or has excessive tape/string. Poor handwriting, misspellings, improperly addressed. Excessive postage, no postage, or no/strange return address.

What are 3 examples of a suspicious package?

Do you get in trouble if your package is seized?

You may be subject to penalties up to the value of the genuine merchandise based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). These can be quite high and would require a separate petition filing to mitigate these fines down. Note you may not receive a penalty notice until way after the seizure case was closed.

Do they scan packages in the mail?

Carriers are supposed to scan a package at the delivery location after either delivering or attempting to deliver the package. This scan “stops the clock,” indicating USPS has met its delivery commitment. Anyone tracking a package would see that delivery was made or attempted.

Does USPS look inside packages?

If the package is not classified as Priority Mail Express™ service (domestic or international), Priority Mail® service, First–Class Package Service™, or an international letter package, it may be opened and its contents examined.

How do you hide drugs in the mail?

In fact, traffickers are using soup and paints cans, trash receptacles and other products to conceal the shipments. Drug smugglers have also recently used shipments of frozen goat meat, salt and pepper shakers, jukeboxes, garden hoses, bras, wigs and even a live dog as places of concealment.

Is it risky to send drugs in the mail?

Penalties Under State and Federal Law

If you are charged with mailing drugs or other banned substances through the U.S. postal service or across state lines, not only will you face criminal charges in the state of North Carolina, but you will also face federal drug charges, which often have even harsher penalties.

Does UPS check packages?

Right of Inspection

UPS reserves the right to open and inspect any package tendered to it for transportation.

Are USPS packages Xrayed?

Is Mail X-Rayed? Some of the mail that is sent through the United States Postal Service will pass through an X-Ray machine. 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.

What makes a package suspicious USPS?

Misspelled common words. No return address or strange return address. Unusual addressing, such as not being addressed to a specific person or the use of incorrect titles or titles with no name. Restrictive markings, such as “personal,” “confidential,” or “do not x-ray”

How do I know if my package was intercepted?

Customer status should be provided by phone or email. Customers may also check the status of their request by looking out for the "Customer Recall" scan event using the Track & Confirm tool on USPS.com.

Does FedEx or UPS XRAY packages?

Delivery companies like FedEx try to spot suspicious packages but don't X-ray them all. Security is tightest for parcels that are placed on passenger airplanes.

Are all packages scanned at USPS?

The Postal Service's goal is to scan all barcoded mailpieces (flats, letters, and packages) that enter the mailstream and track those items with additional scans up to the point of delivery. Scanning accuracy is critically important to the success of real-time visibility.

How do you ship discreetly?

Traditional discreet shipping

Think brown cardboard boxes, single-color paper, and labels that don't discuss what's inside. It's also possible to use unmarked postal service boxes, especially flat-rate boxes, to conceal the contents. These are smart because you also get expedited options without raising any eyebrows.

How do I know if my USPS package is confiscated?

Once the postal inspector receives the suspected mail, they will attempt to contact the sender or recipient and, if unsuccessful, scan it as “seized by law enforcement.” The scan is visible in the Postal Service's tracking system to the sender and recipient as well as postal personnel.

What happens if your package is intercepted?

All intercepted items are redirected as Priority Mail. You must pay the applicable Priority Mail postage, except when the item was originally sent using Priority Mail Express^®, Priority Mail, or First-Class Mail^®. Customers will not be charged if the shipment was not intercepted.

How do I know if my package was confiscated?

In the US, if a package is detained or seized they will send a letter to the recipient and explain why- sometimes it may be for import duties or it could be a prohibited item.

What are the 4 C's for suspicious packages?

When dealing with suspicious items apply the 4 Cs protocol: CONFIRM, CLEAR, COMMUNICATE AND CONTROL.

Can USPS open suspicious packages?

If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.

What does USPS do with suspicious mail?

Postal Inspectors within the Dangerous Mail Investigations Program are specially trained to recognize the common characteristics of suspicious mail and use an array of specialized screening equipment to identify and mitigate threats to postal infrastructure, its employees, and the general public.