Do the Police Know if You Mailed Weed

Objective

Our objective was to determine whether the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has efficient and effective controls to manage the Administrative Non-Mailability Protocol (ANP) plan.

Postal inspectors are federal constabulary enforcement officers responsible for enforcing laws that defend the nation'south postal service system from illegal or dangerous use. In 2016, the Postal Inspection Service implemented the ANP program, which is an authoritative procedure used to detain, certificate, and procedure mail packages that are reasonably suspected of containing marijuana from the mailstream.

Different in criminal investigations, the ANP program does not require postal inspectors to obtain search warrants to open detained packages. Rather, they request consent from mailers or addressees to open detained packages. If there is no response after 21 days, packages are declared abandoned and can be opened. When identified equally non-mailable items, their contents are seized and disposed and mailable items are returned to the original addressees. Due to this procedure, the Postal Inspection Service has determined that abased packages are non used as evidence in criminal investigations; notwithstanding, information about the packages, such as an address, may be used to support new or ongoing criminal investigations. This program was established primarily to remove marijuana from the mailstream.

The Postal Inspection Service had [redacted] ANP sites to process suspected packages from the western U.Southward. During July 2018, the Postal Inspection Service established the [redacted] to serve equally a primal processing location for the mailing of suspected marijuana packages from areas without an ANP site. In financial year (FY) 2019, the Postal Inspection Service processed 54,877 packages suspected of containing marijuana at both the [redacted] and ANP sites.

Findings

Opportunities be for the Postal Inspection Service to enhance management of the ANP program. Specifically, in FY 2019 we found:

• The ANP plan was established to remove marijuana from the mailstream; however, other types of illicit drugs have been constitute during the abandoned process. Specifically, ane,839 of 95,491 pounds (two per centum) of narcotics seized were identified equally illicit drugs other than marijuana. Since the ANP program restricts postal inspectors from using the contents of abased illicit drugs every bit evidence, information technology may limit opportunities for criminal prosecutions.

• 219 of 15,941 packages sent to the [redacted] were lost. Based on available tracking data for 191 of them, postal inspectors did not utilize [redacted] suggested mailing methods for 188 packages. This occurred because [redacted] policy recommends, only does not require, postal inspectors to use a more than controlled mailing method. In addition, packages containing marijuana emit a potent odor and can be easily detected [redacted]. [Redacted] display [redacted]" on the mailing label address, both of which increase the take chances of theft by postal employees processing this mail. When packages suspected of containing illicit drugs are lost or stolen, there is an increased risk that those drugs could exist illegally distributed or used. In addition, when doubtable packages which contain legitimate mailable items are sent to the [redacted] and are lost, this could impact the Postal Service's brand reputation.

• Personnel at the [redacted] allowed Postal Service employees to drop off Registered Mail suspected of containing illicit drugs in an accessible container identified for [redacted] utilise. This container is well-nigh the workroom floor of the mail service delivery unit and is accessible to all Postal Service and Inspection Service employees. Although there are security cameras past the container to deter and observe theft, they do not [redacted]. Mail Registered Mail service policy requires hand-to-hand commutation of Registered Postal service. When [redacted] personnel are not adhering to Registered Post requirements, it could contribute to the loss or theft of packages suspected of containing illicit drugs.

• 18 of 30 (60 percent) postal inspectors we interviewed did non properly certificate ANP program activities to back up workhours. This occurred because the ANP policy is not aligned with the Inspection Service Transmission, which requires documentation of daily activities to support workhours. Consummate and accurate recording and documenting of workhour information is needed for management to appraise the productivity of individual inspectors and the ANP plan. Every bit a event, 2,228 workhours were unsupported in FY 2019. The Postal Inspection Service spent well-nigh $253,613 annually on unsupported workhours.

• Inspection Service personnel did not e'er ensure proper documentation of evidence bags at the [redacted] and [redacted] ANP locations we visited. Specifically, of 265 evidence bags we reviewed, the weight of the drugs in 5 bags did not match the weights in the tracking system. Weight discrepancies ranged from less than one pound to well-nigh 2 pounds and the average weight discrepancy was .92 pounds. In addition, 3 evidence bags were missing both the responsible party and a witness' initials and dates across the evidence handbag sealing record. This occurred due to a lack of postal inspector oversight. When Inspection Service personnel practice not handle evidence in accordance with policy, there is potential risk of loss and theft of illicit drugs.

Recommendations

We recommended management:

• Coordinate with relevant executive agencies, such every bit the Department of Justice to decide whether the contents of abandoned packages, other than marijuana, can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and update the ANP program policy as needed.

• Update ANP program policy to require the use of a more controlled mailing method and communicate the requirement to all divisions.

• Apply smell-proof packaging to conceal the smell of marijuana and remove [redacted] from the mailing label for packages destined to the [redacted].

• Reinforce the Registered Mail hand commitment requirement at the [redacted].

• Marshal the ANP programme policy with the Inspection Service Manual that requires daily activeness documentation to support workhours.

• Implement a periodic review process to ensure prove bags incorporate proper dates and initials; and ensure drug weight is accurately recorded in the tracking system.

Read full written report

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Source: https://www.uspsoig.gov/document/us-postal-inspection-service-handling-suspected-marijuana-packages

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