How USPS seizure works: "Drug Trafficking Via Express Mail" by the Law Office of John Guidry II

This is an article from May, 2012 by a lawyer named John P Guidry II that explains the process:

http://www.orlandocriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com/2012/05/drug-trafficking-via-express-m.html

TL;DR: If they get enough suspicious indicators, they pull it from the regular mail stream, at which point if a dog hits, they contact a judge to get a warrant to open the package. More juicy details above in the link.


Federally, here is ENOUGH to get a warrant (maybe less required) from UNITED STATES v. HERNANDEZ (2002):

Phillips inspected the package and detained it for further investigation based on the following factors:

(1) his investigation of several databases revealed that the parcel had a correct return address, but the return addressee "Quiuirly Hernandez," could not be verified as living at that address;

(2) the express mail label was handwritten and sent person-to-person;

(3) the package was mailed from California, a known drug-source state;

(4) the package was almost completely taped on all seams; and

(5) the package was sent via express mail.


Due to the follow case, some of this dog procedure stuff might be changing in Oregon at least:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DarkNetMarkets/comments/36pka8/le_practice_of_pulling_usps_pkgs_for_sniff_test/

Suspicious indicators, from above:

They look for packages bearing exterior indicators that they deem characteristic of illegal-drug or drug-money parcels. Such indicators include the "overtaping" of a package's seams; handwritten, as opposed to printed, shipping information; delivery from an individual to an individual, rather than to or from a business entity; variation between the zip code from which a package was sent and the zip code listed for the return address; payment for delivery by cash or debit card, instead of billing to a business account; origination from a non-medical-marijuana state; waiver of any signature requirement at delivery; and use of possibly fictitious or incomplete identifying information for the sender or recipient.


Comments


[5 Points] footlockervip:

I'll tell you whats a dead giveway. a priority envelope or box, with stamps, non internet paid postage. I used to work in a highrise and i think out of thousands of packages i only saw a handful with stamps on boxes.

so easy to provile like that. use itnernet paid postage and photoshop in an ebay/paypal logo and item # and your golden


[4 Points] TrumpLoeil:

Well I have to say the one good thing about having acquaintances who had boyfriends in prison is that you learn some interesting things. Like how they got dope in via the mail. They would take cheap cake mix when on sale for $1, then you open the box for the bottom, so you can Re-glue it, then they take a brand new straight edge razor, then shake down the mix slice maybe 3 inches at the top, empty out into a bowl. Then add in packages of said dope, use the double stick tape to seal it shut from the inside, weight it on a postal sale, put cake mix back in the box, get Elmer's white glue, glue bottom closed, set on counter over night, ready to send in the AM!

Also heard them use peanut butter it's messier, need more bags for this, and maybe a hair dyer, works well for weed.

There's tricks with coffee too.

Bottom line alternate, send 'care' packages. And for everyone's sake be smart!

Addresses make up a a fake person, someone who lives there but comes and goes;) like Luke Cavanaugh. Or Devon Johnston, send random stuff to that name via Amazon, create a couple emails with this name. Aol, maybe yahoo, keep one as a main. Then have mail sent couple times a month to this name. Also use pre paid Visa cards, as of today Safeway no longer offers a $500 visa gift card! Damn shame! But they have $200 fashion card. Most of the Visa cards can be done online give the fake name real address. Then you have a card to purchase with. Bam!

If you need to have another address set up, plan on spending a week or two if you live in a large city, you look for a field next to an apartment building, one that people work and are too just to notice an extra mailbox. Come early int eh am Monday, Friday, then due a mid day look out. And an evening one, and a late night Friday and Sunday. Gives you a feel for the place. See if people hang out and drink at night, or if there's another night life going on. Check erratically. If someone questions why you are in the area. You have a developer that's interested in the area wants you to get a feel. You have a friend who's sister is leaving her ex, what ever asshole who beats her she has a kid and wanted you to check the area. Your thinking about moving there but you have two you kids your self, your working for a large grocery store chain and scoping the area to see foot traffic. There are so many real reasons. Duh! Then get a mailbox ( one that locks is better) maybe you have to deny it a bit with a hammer or sand it to make it looked well used, how ever you need to make it fit in do so. Wait until like 4th of July, or another holiday where people are jovial and there are loud noises. Set up mail box. Now have 2-3 pieces of mail sent there pick them up on a late Sunday night or Thursday like 11:30pm not too late Thursday's tend to be ladies night, and Sunday's too late you catch the creepers/cheaters or drunks sneaking in for Monday. See if the mail got there then slowly up the mail there. Then use it as a return address:/. Ha! Mission accomplished set up several around town 5? Alternate them. Have someone pick up the mail for a flat fee, they can be friendly plain but elusive too. This should ward off the nosies. Keep 2 as back up just in case. Use three, also keep a low profile. If it's busy stop by, get your stuff and go.

If you live in a rural area it's very easy to put one up near a cluster of other boxes make sure it isn't too shiny and new. Don't have packages sent there. Just don't makes a great return address. Once a package isn't returned but makes as not received assume it's compromised. And don't return. Easier to set up another one. Bottom line try to blend in. And remember these are throw always. Never count on them for too long. Also for returns post office always marks stuff they think is suspect. Too much tape, too much insurance. Well bottom line you work in it repair of computers, servers and such they cost a ton. You have DoD contracts or other federal contracts so you can't go into it. You create a consultant business. That way you have some cover you could file some taxes but that's up to you. Create a trust that pays you you can get accounts that way. The government makes it hard to not show who you are.

But be smart about think about does it make sense in a paragraph? Then maybe use it. If it takes more time to explain away then don't bother, just don't. so if you consult you an pick up mil in the middle of the day. You can also drive across town or another place to mail your items. Rumor has it books aren't that popular any more, hollow them out ship them with choice of goodies;). Who knew that Amazon could do you favors in the end;) someone wants to purchase two random items that's code for something else random. Make it 4 items. Use stuffed animals to send things good will;) build it into your over head. There's a price break for those that return your items in bulk;) animals are light. Books can go at media rate, usually the post office will check the book before they allow you to package it, why the hole? Oh my friends an artist, or they are doing some project at the school where his son/daughter/nice attends. Who cares! Make it plausible. Done deal, who knew that all these online site could help you? Maybe I should just write a book already:/


[2 Points] None:

So, don't order weed from the internet. Got it.


[1 Points] thr0wawaay2:

By the way this practice/process may have changed recently for some jurisdictions under a certain appeal's court's district -- I don't remember but if anyone can find the article from some months back about the appeals court judge (in oregon?) who said they can't use dogs (or at least like they used to) for some reason? Help a stoner out and I'll edit my post at the bottom!


[1 Points] None:


[1 Points] purpletastesgood:

(5) An Accurint check reveals that no one by the sender’s name lives at the return address.

Does that mean it's advisable to use a real senders name and address when shipping a package? Even a suite number?


[1 Points] bikramdrugsbikram:

Would this article apply at all to regular mail, or just express mail?


[1 Points] footlockervip:

Yeah I hate vendors who overtape. Just buy good god damn envelopes, use prepaid internet postage from liek popup inc or the like.

I dunno why vendor dont do this but before they print the label they should protoshop in the ebay/paypal logo you get when you print a paypal shipping label. Then its almost guaranteed itwont get a second glance.


[1 Points] footlockervip:

I got an impulse sealer when i was growing mushroosm to use myc bags and ive found many uses. I open up bags of chips and put a bundle in and reseal it ir looks factory fresh, throw that in my lunch bag, cops never give it a second look.

No one mails chips though.. but vendors need to start offering optiont where you pay extra to buy an actual product lets say a cell phone case, and open the plstic put the drugs in concealed and impulse seal the pack back up, looks like a normal ebay orderl


[1 Points] Georgelopez752:

What about just using a prepaid giftcard from a store, and going on usps website and entering all fake info behind a VPN and printing the label? Why does every vendor make it sound like it's so hard to print a label.


[0 Points] purpletastesgood:

I wonder what happens when a drug package is returned to sender to an invalid address. Do they just destroy the package without opening it?


[-1 Points] Tune-chi:

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