Does The Postal Service Check For Drugs

Objective

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

Postal inspectors are federal police enforcement officers responsible for enforcing laws that defend the nation's mail organisation from illegal or dangerous use. In 2016, the Postal Inspection Service implemented the ANP program, which is an administrative process used to detain, document, and process post packages that are reasonably suspected of containing marijuana from the mailstream.

Dissimilar in criminal investigations, the ANP program does non 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 alleged abandoned and can exist opened. When identified as not-mailable items, their contents are seized and disposed and mailable items are returned to the original addressees. Due to this process, the Postal Inspection Service has adamant that abandoned packages are not used every bit evidence in criminal investigations; however, information well-nigh the packages, such equally an address, may exist used to back up new or ongoing criminal investigations. This plan 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.S. 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 fiscal year (FY) 2019, the Postal Inspection Service processed 54,877 packages suspected of containing marijuana at both the [redacted] and ANP sites.

Findings

Opportunities exist 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 accept been institute during the abased process. Specifically, 1,839 of 95,491 pounds (2 percent) of narcotics seized were identified as illicit drugs other than marijuana. Since the ANP program restricts postal inspectors from using the contents of abandoned illicit drugs as evidence, information technology may limit opportunities for criminal prosecutions.

• 219 of fifteen,941 packages sent to the [redacted] were lost. Based on available tracking information for 191 of them, postal inspectors did not use [redacted] suggested mailing methods for 188 packages. This occurred because [redacted] policy recommends, but does not crave, postal inspectors to use a more controlled mailing method. In addition, packages containing marijuana emit a strong odor and can be hands detected [redacted]. [Redacted] display [redacted]" on the mailing label accost, both of which increase the take a chance of theft past postal employees processing this mail. When packages suspected of containing illicit drugs are lost or stolen, there is an increased take a chance that those drugs could be illegally distributed or used. In addition, when suspect 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 Post employees to drop off Registered Mail suspected of containing illicit drugs in an accessible container identified for [redacted] use. This container is almost the workroom floor of the mail delivery unit of measurement and is attainable to all Postal service and Inspection Service employees. Although there are security cameras by the container to deter and detect theft, they exercise not [redacted]. Postal Service Registered Mail service policy requires hand-to-mitt commutation of Registered Mail. When [redacted] personnel are non adhering to Registered Mail requirements, it could contribute to the loss or theft of packages suspected of containing illicit drugs.

• 18 of thirty (threescore percentage) postal inspectors we interviewed did non properly document ANP program activities to support workhours. This occurred considering the ANP policy is not aligned with the Inspection Service Transmission, which requires documentation of daily activities to back up workhours. Complete and accurate recording and documenting of workhour information is needed for management to assess the productivity of individual inspectors and the ANP program. As a event, ii,228 workhours were unsupported in FY 2019. The Postal Inspection Service spent near $253,613 annually on unsupported workhours.

• Inspection Service personnel did non e'er ensure proper documentation of prove bags at the [redacted] and [redacted] ANP locations we visited. Specifically, of 265 evidence bags we reviewed, the weight of the drugs in five bags did not match the weights in the tracking arrangement. Weight discrepancies ranged from less than one pound to most two pounds and the average weight discrepancy was .92 pounds. In improver, iii testify bags were missing both the responsible party and a witness' initials and dates across the evidence purse sealing tape. This occurred due to a lack of postal inspector oversight. When Inspection Service personnel exercise not handle evidence in accordance with policy, at that place is potential take chances of loss and theft of illicit drugs.

Recommendations

Nosotros recommended direction:

• Coordinate with relevant executive agencies, such equally the Section of Justice to make up one's mind whether the contents of abased packages, other than marijuana, tin be used as evidence in criminal investigations and update the ANP program policy every bit needed.

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

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

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

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

• Implement a periodic review process to ensure evidence numberless contain proper dates and initials; and ensure drug weight is accurately recorded in the tracking system.

Read full written report

Does The Postal Service Check For Drugs,

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

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