Since many states have decriminalized marijuana, it may not seem that risky these days to mail some weed to a friend. But under federal law, cannabis is still a controlled substance, and there are harsh penalties for sending illicit drugs through the U.S. Postal Service. And because of the recent dramatic rise in drug overdose deaths due to the national fentanyl crisis, the Feds are increasingly on the lookout for contraband in the mail. Last year, Postal Inspectors seized more than 14 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and more than 80 packages containing synthetic opioids.
They are also coming down hard on offenders. If you get caught sending or receiving illegal drugs in the mail or through a parcel service like FedEx or UPS, you could be facing federal felony drug trafficking charges. It could mean years in prison and heavy fines. It’s best to talk with an experienced and aggressive Federal Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible. Call 407-644-2466 for a free consultation with an Orlando Drug Charges Attorney at the Rivas Law Firm.
Drug Trafficking Charges and the US Postal Service
People sometimes send drugs through the mail because unlike FedEx or UPS, the U.S. Postal Service can’t open anyone’s mail without a search warrant. But Postal Inspectors can get a warrant easily enough. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the post office, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration use a drug packaging profile to identify suspicious-looking parcels in the mail.
A package may catch the attention of authorities for several reasons. If, for example, it is sent as express mail, is heavily taped, has a phony return address, or sent from an area known as a drug trafficking source. A postal inspector can seize a piece of mail and use a drug sniffing dog to confirm a reasonable suspicion that it contains illegal drugs. The inspector can then get a warrant to open the package. If they find drugs, they will use an undercover law enforcement officer to deliver the package. Whoever accepts the parcel gets arrested, and there will likely be another search warrant executed for the residence.
Defense Against Drug Trafficking Through the Mail
The best defense against these charges begins with a thorough investigation of the case by a tenacious federal criminal defense attorney. A good lawyer will examine every aspect of the prosecution case to uncover any violation of rights or procedural errors. Through a Motion to Suppress, a judge could rule that evidence seized without probable is inadmissible. The police may have violated your right to due process of law by improperly reading your rights. Your lawyer can challenge search warrants, evidence handling, and crime lab procedures.
You need the best criminal defense you can get when your life and liberty are on the line. Consider the Orlando Criminal Defense Attorneys at the Rivas Law Firm. For a free consultation, call 407-644-2466 or contact us online.
