UPS shipment seizure

[Guest]

The part I found most interesting was the part about the warrant getting and the like. I've seen speculation that these private carriers can inspect-at-will. Heres some selected quotes, the article is pretty good. Local newspaper to the story. Ever been to missoula, mt?
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On March 30, Prosser learned that a package containing 20 grams of marijuana had been confiscated by federal agents. The package was clearly addressed to Prosser and even gave the return address of her designated caregiver, who is registered through Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services.

...

So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

“We did seize that marijuana,” Sweetin said. “It came to our attention that there was a package being shipped via UPS that was thought to contain marijuana. We obtained a federal search warrant because we had probable cause to believe it contained marijuana.”

 

[EZB581]

UPS offer cash rewards to employees who find packages with illegal contents. Anything from drugs to hazardous materials.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Guest]

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

Was gonna point that out myself.

 

[stretchpup]

Dang, I hope that wasn't my bag!!!

Hello Vacume Sealer. I hear you suck, and suck well.

No excuse but laziness for packages stinking, IMO. I don't think many in the know use UPS anyway.

 

[Guest]

Yea the folks doing medical shit seem to generally think they're playing a different game which does not require discression.

But really my reason for posting this is because it appears to clear up some misinformation floating around that these guys can open your packages at will. Having to get a federal warrant with probable cause is a pretty big step. Doesn't look like hunches apply - legally.

mailing weed is retarded anyway.

 

[stretchpup]

I agree with you and glad you posted this- but I think too much emphasis was put on getting a warrant, like that's hard for them.

I'm no lawyer.

But I know we're only told what the media says, and what the report says, and we all know police and media are 100% accurate and honest all the time?

They'll open it at will when a UPS pot smoker with a keen nose notices something. Happens all the time I bet. I can count on more than one hand how many guys in this hobby have mentioned pot shipments never making it.

Now unless the feds are planning a big sting on a bunch of 250w closet growers and still staking them out years later, someone's snatching it up.

Playing devils advocate:

Even so, if it were your shipment, who's to say UPS did not open it and THEN call the 5-0? "We found it open." "It dropped from the shelf and split open"

Of course after he snatches the majority of it and THEN reports it, if even.

Well, you'd still go down and they'll take the UPS workers word for it.

I don't think it's too hard to obtain a warrant when you have a box stinking like an illegal drug in front of you. I know little about what is involved with it, but I'm sure it's just like Detective Benson on Law and Order. Easy with probable cause.

How many arms do you think the police had to twist to get a warrant for a stank-ass weedy box?

 

[b10narybud]

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

actually, i'm from near the area.. Alot of the local weed we get comes from that part of montana and arround the billings, montana area.

Actually, its a very big hotspot for all kinds of drugs...not just marijuana.

You'd be suprised sometimes....

 

[flux]

Shipping illegal substances through a third party is fucking retarded IMO especially if its something like MJ which can easily be detected by Dogs. (stinky stinky stinky)

Maybe the guy should have got some insurance on his 20g. lol.

 

[SEEDYNONO]

put the damn shit in a mason jar and wash the outside of the jar.

 

[sow the seeds]

I don't think its that tough for em to get a warrant. They send dogs through the trucks and if one smells something like this one probably did that can get them a warrant to open it.

Just package it well and it wouldn't even be a problem. Sounds like this had a pretty strong smell.

 

[Guest]

I'm not really saying theres anything more involved than a phone call to get a warrant. It's just nice to know its not an xray that caught him, or anything other than the senders own foolishness. I didn't want to emphasize the warrant thing too much, because I know how trivial it is to get one, but very interesting nonetheless. I wouldn't really worry about the rougue ups employee wanting to get lit, but the feds obviously need a warrant to open your ups! Sounds good to me.

 

[Dank-j]

The biggest problem is that montana has crap for caregivers and the doctors are mostly ignorant and refuse to even talk about it with their patients. I had a friend die a month ago that was from montana and herb was the only thing that really helped his quality of life. Doctors wouldn't even talk about it with him.

I know a few others with terminal illnessess in montana and it seems most doctors refuse to even talk about it, even refusing to read printed information brought in by the patients.

If the doctors would actually look at it as a medicine rather then what they have been told, then I am sure the caregiver scene would expand within the state of montana. I've read where more then just a few patients are opting to find remote caregivers and have them send it through the mail. It's risky but some people don't have many options if they are too sick to grow for themselves.

I think I read there are 400 TOTAL patients in the state of Montana, compared with California's 200,000+ people with recommendations.

 

[Berry_Coughin']

UPS offer cash rewards to employees who find packages with illegal contents. Anything from drugs to hazardous materials.

So does the USPS, and it's thousands of $$$, leading to the arrest and conviction based on evidence given by said individuals....--> and it's not limited to employees

Private shipping companies have FULL discretion to search what-ever they want....

USPS anything under 30g they need a warrant.....

If something is reeking of pot, it'd be easy to obtain a warrant....

 

[Guest]

If private shipping companies have this disgression why would they obtain a warrant? Wouldn't it be quicker for them to just check it themselves when the man arrives? I *highly* doubt any agent would go through the trouble (minor, yes) of getting a warrant when the company has full disgression.

I believe thats bullshit. Certainly they would have to disclose this, in some sort of privacy policy, which I was unable to find after a quick search on ups.

I want to see that disclosure.

 

[Guest]

damn 20 grams without a vaccum sealer is asking for trouble. and i would never ship anything anywhere via a private courier service. they ask too many damn questions and they do reserve the right to open any "suspicious" packages. fuck that...

 

[Guest]

Well if someone could produce where that is stated I'd love to read it. They certainly never told me about it.

 

[Guest]

flat out ask the manager at the ups store. i did and i was told that they reserve the right to open any package they deemed suspicious or potentially hazardous. i dont know why she would have said that if it werent true. since ups is private and has no affiliation with the government, they dont need a federal warrant to open anything.

 

[Berry_Coughin']

Exactly, I went to a local 'mail service' location and asked questions..... they can open anything that is suspect... and 'suspect' is at their discretion....

You have to think..... they are moving stuff around for money... you don't think they have reserved the right to cover their asses in the event someone tries to send some contraband.... USPS is another story.... stay under weight limits and they cannot do much anything but return it, without warrant.......

 

[Guest]

Its kinda big. Page 10, Right of Inspection.
http://www.ups.com/media/en/terms_service_12012007.pdf