Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

If drugs are shipped through the mail (United States postal service, not UPS or Fedex), what would happen to the sender, and the receiver of this said package if the package was seized by the postal service. Also does the postal service require a warrant to search your package, if it is not a noticeably odd.

Also would the sender, and receiver of the package be protected under any Amendments?

What are the procedures for the postal service when they confiscate a package. (i.e. Do they send out a notice in the mail? Do policemen show up at your house? ect..)

Thank you


Asked on 3/01/11, 5:55 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

I am not going to tell you how to break the law. Anyone would be extremely foolish to attempt to ship drugs or other contraband by the USPS. Whether there would be a warrant required depends on the class of mail; it's my understanding that first class mail or Priority Mail requires a warrant, which might delay the search of your parcel by a couple of hours. How they would actually make the arrest is anybody's guess.

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Answered on 3/01/11, 6:24 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Anyone stupid enough to send illegal drugs through USPS, UPS, FedEx or any other service faces certain federal and state felony charges. The details and procedures of HOW the services work with law enforcement are irrelevant. They do. And, all packages are scanned and 'searched' for contraband. The sender and recipient will learn about it when arrested. NO, they do not give you notice to run and hide.

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Answered on 3/02/11, 12:27 pm


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