Silk Road forums
Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: johnnycottonseed on May 16, 2012, 12:47 am
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I found this post a lil while ago and wanted to share as it is almost 11 years old but still very important..........
Well, I've been doing some more research, and can pass along a few things to those who are interested. DRUG PACKAGE PROFILE/SEARCH WARRANT US postal inspectors routinely profile Express Mail parcels at the airport as they are unloaded from arriving flights. This profile consists of a number of "well-recognized" characteristics, which consider: (1) the size and shape of the package and its outward appearance; (2) whether the package has been heavily taped so as to seal or close all seams, edges and/or openings; (3) whether the package contains handwritten or printed labels; (4) the nature and destination of the package and/or its point of origin; (5) the absence or presence of odors; (6) whether the sender's zip code matches the zip code affixed by the postal clerk; and (7) whether the package contains a fictitious return address. [Note: postal inspectors may sniff packages for the tell-tale scent of marijuana, as well as such odors as coffee, mustard, perfume or clothes dryer sheets that mask drug smells.] In one case, the postal inspector became suspicious of a package because it fit five of the profile characteristics, including: (1) all edges, seams and openings were heavily taped; (2) the package contained a fictitious return address and (3) handwritten labels; (4) the package originated in a recognized "drug source" state and locality, i.e., San Diego, California; and (5) the 8 1/4" by 8 1/4" dimensions of the package. Equally significant was the fact that the package was shipped via Express Mail. The postal inspector testified that, based both upon his personal experience and training and the experience of the Postal Service generally, delivery services such as Express Mail, Federal Express Overnight, and United Parcel Service Overnight are the primary carriers utilized by drug dealers seeking to ship narcotics throughout the country, specifically because they guarantee next-day delivery. Accordingly, postal inspectors subject Express Mail packages to closer scrutiny than is accorded items sent by regular mail. The cumulative effect of all these factors caused the postal inspector to suspect that the package might contain a controlled substance. He then removed the package from the mail stream and obtained the assistance of a narcotics detection canine named "Zak." The package was placed on the floor amidst eight other parcels, and Zak was directed to sniff the packages. Zak alerted to the suspect package. The package was then placed in a different position among the other eight parcels, and the test was repeated. Zak again alerted to the suspect package. {A dog sniff of a package does not require a search warrant; a positive sniff or "alert" can be used as a basis for then obtaining a warrant.} The postal inspector then applied for and obtained a federal search warrant to open the package and search its contents. Upon executing the search warrant, the authorities discovered that the package contained approximately one-half pound of marijuana. The package was then resealed in order to permit the authorities to effect a controlled delivery to the address specified on the package. When the addressee accepted delivery of the package, he was arrested. PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE CARRIER A private carrier (like DHL or FedEx) does not require a warrant to inspect and open a package. This is for at least two reasons. First, private carriers are not covered by Fourth Amendment restrictions on search and seizure because they are not actors of the government (as opposed to the USPS, which is covered by the Fourth Amendment). Second, in the small print of the form you sign to send a package via private carrier, you probably give the carrier the right to open and inspect the package at any time. FedEx and DHL, etc., have security agents whose job it is to look for suspicious packages. Most of the private carriers (with the exception of UPS) allow law enforcement to borrow company uniforms and trucks to stage controlled delivery busts (although FedEx claims that it allows this only rarely). AVOIDING GETTING BUSTED The time at which one runs a real risk of getting busted is when you pick up a package, or when it is delivered to your home and you have to sign for delivery. From the news stories and cases I've read, it appears that if you decline to pick up a package you've been told is waiting for pick-up, you will not be busted even if law enforcement knows the package contains contraband. Similarly, it appears you will not be busted if you refuse to sign for a package that's hand-delivered to your door. But once you sign for a package containing contraband and accept delivery, you can be busted (and it doesn't appear to make any difference whether you've opened the package or not). In the case of Robert Parish, Celtics basketball great, 5 oz. of marijuana was delivered to his house by FedEx. Previously, FedEx had apparently received a tip, opened the package, discovered the marijuana, and then re-sealed it. The police obtained a search warrant based on their knowledge that Parish had received the dope. When they searched his house, they found the dope and Parish was busted. In another, more recent case, a Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher, Matt Anderson, was arrested when he signed to accept delivery of an overnight package which contained marijuana. It is not clear from the articles I've read whether this package was sent via USPS or a private carrier. I'd like to hear from anyone who has any further information on this topic, especially any relevant drug bust stories.
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Thank you for your posting johnny!
Signature for shipping is in my opinion only for big orders and than it is also not "really" necessary!
It is only good for the vendor because he could see if the buyer says the truth for example: My package doesn't arrive or anything else!
But people, honestly, we should play together!either you get the package or you do not get it (because it get seized, the postman has lost, false address or the vendor never sent the item, but you already see the stats of the vendor)
But nobody of the vendor could proof if you get the package with a normal signature, only he give ah tracking number, and packages with tracking numbers are defenetely a risk for the buyer because the rate that this package which have a tracking number to get opened/seized is higher than you get a normal package! (Arround 15% of packages which was found with illegal stuff last year has had a tracking number, and often people track the items at your home or directly in the Tor Browser-this is another Story- if you bought something track in some public internet coffee far away of your home!
What do you think about signature on shipments without tracking number?
Yes/No/Options/Opinions?
Kind regards
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+1 karma for the post, thanks.
I never require signatures, but I also don't offer Express shipping anymore because of the additional scrutiny. I have never had one arrive on time, and it is a damn nerve wracking experience.