If you are caught accepting a mail delivery containing over 20 grams of marijuana, the penalty would be a third-degree felony, which could result in five years in state prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Marijuana is the most commonly-seized drug, and astudyreported that in just 2014, 39,301 pounds of marijuana were seized by inspectors. FedEx knows that there are huge amounts of illegal drugs going through it's system every day. When police apprehend something that could be a controlled delivery, police might try to make a controlled delivery. The notice of seizure and intent to forfeit might be in the form of a personal letter or in the form of a notice published online. And some of the people who buy their own checked baggage have become frustrated by not getting much help or customer service at the counter. If your registration has been approved, then you are allowed to ship the prescription drugs through the mail. And FedEx cooperates with themeven loans them the truck.". Whether you send drugs or another banned substance through the U.S. postal system or a private carrier, it is always illegal. Law enforcement will then track any person that comes into contact with the package with the goal of catching a suspect in possession of the package so an arrest can be made. FedEx might give you a number for the agency that seized the package or the case agent. 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. Instead, you can exercise your rights under the 5th and 6th Amendments of the United States Constitution by saying: I have already hired an attorney. If you believe your shipping package was unlawfully seized or you want to file a lawsuit for getting seized packages back, contact us at 888-571-5590 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation without further delay. Potential defenses include: One important thing to remember is that in order to get a conviction for mailing or trafficking drugs, the prosecution needs the evidence to be solid. In addition to being aware of what you are sending, its also important to be aware of who you are sending it to. Garcia opened the FedEx package and found marijuana. If a federal agency seized the cash or if the federal agency adopts the seized property, then the forfeiture proceeding must follow federal law. | I understand that submission of an online form does not constitute an attorneyclient relationship. In seeking to suppress the evidence, Green argued that Garcia violated his constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures when he nabbed Green's package off the FedEx conveyor belt based on its size, glued seams, and return address. It has Fourth Amendment rights, and it can invite the police in," says Orin Kerr, a law professor at Berkeley. In regards to FedEx, you can check your package status by visiting their website or contacting customer service. For example, some packages may undergo the additional security checks, including getting scanned or searched. Why would basic dyes be more effective under alkaline conditions? (Video) How mail agencies identify suspicious packages, (Video) I-Team: Post Offices Confiscate Record Number Of Marijuana Packages, (Video) Border Force Sniffer Dog Finds Drugs Hidden in a Package! Getting accused of having drugs on your person is no small issue. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit disagreed: "We conclude that Detective Garcia did not deprive FedEx of custody because he was acting at FedEx's direction," wrote Circuit Judge Leonard Steven Grasz. 3. At the center of the decision is a little-known agreement allowing law enforcement agencies to confiscate parcels at the shipping behemoth's sorting centers. If there is suspicion ofdrug trafficking, what happens first is that the package is seized meaning that it is taken out of its normal mail cycle for the authorities to review. 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. This technique is called a controlled delivery.. You will get charged with felony drug trafficking for mailing weed. U.S. Whether thats protecting yourself with a prenup, getting a fresh start with divorce, or setting up your estate. Sheriff's Employee Embezzled Funds in Keeping with the Spirit of Civil Asset Forfeiture. Although legal penalties vary based on the type and amount of drugs being trafficked, generally speaking, a drug trafficking felony charge in the first degree would result in a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Your email address will not be published. These DEA task force agents and TFGs conduct parcel interdiction by working with commercial shipping and delivery companies to interdict drugs or drug proceeds that have been packed and shipped through these companies. If your package was seized, a state or federal law enforcement officer might knock on your door during an investigation. In many cases, that kind of alert is meaningless because no drugs are ever found. In some states, the officer mightobtain a court order to transfer the money to a federal agency (usually the Drug Enforcement Administrative (DEA)) for adoption. These automatically make mailing drugs in a package felony drug trafficking charges. They've done that forever. In other words, the shipping company has to trust the recipient to accept the package and make sure that the package gets to the right location. Candidates for the examinations are rigorously scrutinized during the testing process. A federal court ruled this month that evidence of drugs obtained by police from a package at a FedEx sorting center was not seized unconstitutionally, rejecting the defendant's arguments that the . After youfill out the form below, we will set up your free consultation. When FedEx finds drugs in a package, the consequences can be severe. This is because FedEx can open the packages and do a postal inspection service.. If the recipient was aware of that the package contained illicit substances, then they are considered just as guilty as the person who mailed it. What happens when USPS or FedEx finds weed in packages? Law enforcement officers focused on the detection of suspicious parcels look for certain techniques that controlled substance traffickers might use to transport controlled substances and the proceeds from the sale of controlled substances. We were still pretty fearful our home would be broken into, and we didnt sleep there for a few days, said the woman. Subscribe to Reason Roundup, a wrap up of the last 24 hours of news, delivered fresh each morning. In many of these cases, local law enforcement officers will turn the cash over to a federal agency, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which then adopts the property for a forfeiture proceeding under federal law. Individuals involved in the trafficking of controlled substances may convert the currency proceeds of trafficking activity into money orders, prepaid debit cards, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards. 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. What happens if you send drugs through the mail? pornographic material (including child pornography); While it can be difficult to convince law enforcement that the package shipped to your home with your name on it is not yours, it doesnt mean it is impossible. How do you say let's keep in touch professionally? Do not speak with any law enforcement officers without an attorney. If you want the best criminal defense lawyers to represent you, fill out the form below. FedEx tries to find out if packages are actually drugs or if they contain explosives. Be respectful and ask them to contact the law enforcement. The post offices postal inspector has set your package aside. Office: 813.250.0500 Green was ultimately indicted for attempting to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a felon. Yes, it is illegal to mail prescription drugs. Call 813-250-0500. UPSlist of prohibited itemsincludes marijuana, vape products, and any other substance prohibited under the law. Third, FedEx underestimated the amount of work needed to implement a new process. 2410. Parcels containing controlled substances or the proceeds of controlled substances trafficking are often delivered to a location other than the traffickers residence, such as a vacant house, unknown residence, co-conspirators residence, relatives friends residence, or business. DO NOT go into FedEx to pick up seized drug packages from the U.S. Then the airport packages have to reach the flight, and then theyre loaded onto the aircraft. In this case, the drug packages DID cross state lines. The law is constantly changing and evolving. Because the driver doesn't know which house is yours. Under federal laws, drug trafficking charges for mailing weed are up to: Drug trafficking is the selling, transporting, or importing of illegal drugs. In conclusion, FedEx and other courier services take a hard line against drugs, and if drugs are found in a package, the consequences can be severe for both the sender and the recipient. What happens if they find drugs in your mail? Packages are X-rayed, so they can be scanned with a CT machine. Saliva tests are more easily passed than urine tests, which is why they are more accurate. The shipping bins were sent from the Amazon shipping facility in Massachusetts. And so, the packages most likely to get scanned are those that look suspicious or those placed on passenger air planes. and hold it down. fake IDs (including credit cards); When it comes to goods transported by truck, safety on the roadways is one of the highest priorities. That law enforcement agency will be able to acquire a search warrant for your mail packages. After the money is seized, the agency that seized the money must provide notice. Before you decide, schedule an appointment to meet directly with the attorney. To see the official rules on shipping packages online, you can go to the [Shipping Center](). rule that the officers violated Green's rights when they conducted their sweep of his home. Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you. Learn why the authorities believe the U.S. postal service is being used to facilitate drug dealing when people mail drugs and money back and forth. The announcement set off a chorus of privacy alarm bells. The company has a strict policy against the transportation of illegal substances, and it takes this policy very seriously. A federal court ruled this month that evidence of drugs obtained by police from a package at a FedEx sorting center was not seized unconstitutionally, rejecting the defendant's arguments that the seizure violated his Fourth Amendment rights. I have always been a shopaholic. 3.1.2023 7:00 AM, Charles Oliver Second, reach out to your neighbors. material that is unlawful for minors; Theyll also ask law enforcement on how to deal with the situation. If you get caught mailing weed, you will get up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Finally, its important to be aware of the laws in your area. You can contact FedEx regarding if and how the company will go about returning your package once they have assessed it. (all You Need To Know), How Long Does Fedex Hold Packages? Typically, a law enforcement officer will use the assistance of a K9 drug dog to investigate the package. 1001; and 50 U.S.C. statements made by the sender or intended recipient. Garcia then took the package from the FedEx center and had another detective, dressed as a FedEx employee, bring it to Green's home, where officers monitored the premises. To avoid getting caught up in a drug trafficking investigation, its important to be aware of what you are sending, who you are sending it to, and the laws in your area. FedEx looks for irregular mail packages with issues like: If they see these issues, they will intercept the packages. Links to misspelled or slightly altered website addresses (fedx.com, fed-ex.com, etc.). Yes, you can get in trouble if someone mails you drugs. Heres how. You want to invest into your future. The only way around this is to register as an eligible entity approved by the DEA. After the co-conspirator receives the parcel, (s)he will contact the trafficker, who will make arrangements to get the parcel. how to know if your package has been seized, how the police will deliver your package if its been seized. Customs (CBP), etc. . It will only mention U.S. Customs if there is an importation and forfeiture of drugs. The judges agreed. Call us to schedule a time to talk with the attorneys in the office or over the phone. Foreign postmarks and excessive amounts of postage should be a red flag this package might contain something harmful. Then it is likely that a drug dog will examine the package. 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