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USPS - Wrongfully seized express package
Express shipping - Complaint
Review by larry459714 on 2012-11-29
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- I recently moved to San Diego around a month ago and it has been hard to find work. Talking with friends from where I moved from they all decided to chip in and send me some cash. Along with the cash a good friend of mine included a motherboard and processor for my broke down computer. He sent both together in an express box thinking that would be the fastest and cheapest way to get me what I needed and in time.
Leave it to the post office to seize the package claiming the money was intended to purchase medical marijuana. WHAT??
How they made this decision I am not certain. I have never even mailed an envelope from San Diego since I have been here. All the information on the box was accurate for both the sender and myself so no flags there. Still they seized the package and it has been two days now and no communication since. Both myself and my friend who mailed the package have tried to get a hold of the inspector. Left multiple voicemail messages; none of them returned.
I have already filed a complaint with the inspector general and am looking on the internet for anywhere else I can express my disgust. So apparently it seems to be legal for an employee of the postal service to just assume something and that is all that is required to seize your personal belongings.
It is not illegal to send any amount of cash through the post office as long as its intent is legal. Also the burden is on the post office to prove otherwise which so far they have not. In the mean time I am out the money and belongings sent in the package and every friend who contributed is also out their money and that is what angers me the most. My friends cared enough to get together and send me some cash to help me out and this is what they get for being kind.
Leave it to the post office to seize the package claiming the money was intended to purchase medical marijuana. WHAT??
How they made this decision I am not certain. I have never even mailed an envelope from San Diego since I have been here. All the information on the box was accurate for both the sender and myself so no flags there. Still they seized the package and it has been two days now and no communication since. Both myself and my friend who mailed the package have tried to get a hold of the inspector. Left multiple voicemail messages; none of them returned.
I have already filed a complaint with the inspector general and am looking on the internet for anywhere else I can express my disgust. So apparently it seems to be legal for an employee of the postal service to just assume something and that is all that is required to seize your personal belongings.
It is not illegal to send any amount of cash through the post office as long as its intent is legal. Also the burden is on the post office to prove otherwise which so far they have not. In the mean time I am out the money and belongings sent in the package and every friend who contributed is also out their money and that is what angers me the most. My friends cared enough to get together and send me some cash to help me out and this is what they get for being kind.
Comments:
Posted by jktshff1 on 2012-11-29:
Let us know how this turns out.
Posted by clutzycook on 2012-11-29:
It's not illegal, but it isn't a great idea either. They should have sent you a check and then insured everything.
Posted by trmn8r on 2012-11-29:
My mom taught me not to send cash in the mail over 40 years ago, and she was right. Moms are always right. Mom was right due to the risk.
However, the question of legality is different. It *is* illegal to send cash *if* the cash is to be used for purposes such as buying illegal drugs, laundering, etc. So, my guess is you need to wait for an investigation to be complete.
It would be interesting to know the law regarding probable cause or whatever allows them to seize such packages. Good luck.
However, the question of legality is different. It *is* illegal to send cash *if* the cash is to be used for purposes such as buying illegal drugs, laundering, etc. So, my guess is you need to wait for an investigation to be complete.
It would be interesting to know the law regarding probable cause or whatever allows them to seize such packages. Good luck.
Posted by Vinnie11 on 2012-11-30:
So curious to know how this turns out. Did he stuff the Express envelope at the Post Office or did he already have an envelope at home?
Posted by MissLeopard83 on 2012-11-30:
Always send money by PayPal or money order so it is insured. Cash can easily be stolen, which I'm betting is the case here. Someone in the post office is being greedy.
Posted by copper_works_ on 2012-11-30:
If it was express, it was probably going on a plane and x-rayed. The electronic items probably raised a red flag, the page was opened and the cash was held, yep, I can see something like that happening.
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