"Parcel systems -private, commercial, or the U.S. Postal Service - are
extremely popular for the transportation of narcotics among drug traffickers.
Drug traffickers and drug trafficking organizations have used this method of
transportation for a number of years. The transportation of narcotics using
various parcel systems has been exploited, and it continues to be a popular
method of transportation, because it is relatively safe and inexpensive.
These parcel systems are occasionally monitored by law enforcement, but
in most cases, not enough. This type of investigation is difficult to prove and
takes extensive investigative effort. This chapter will outline and provide an
introduction to parcel investigations as an investigative tool. Parcel task force
groups will be explained in detail along with their role in the investigation
of organizations using parcel systems. Parcel facilities will be described, as
well as instructions for training parcel staff in the detection of individuals
using commercial package locations to ship narcotics. Commercial staff will
be trained in the behavior and characteristics of criminal activity displayed
by traffickers while using the parcel system to facilitate the drug trade. Investigative
techniques such as controlled deliveries and the use of tracking
devices will be discussed in detail.
What can law enforcement do to combat individuals and organizations using
the parcel systems to transport and ship narcotics? It is not always easy.
Millions of parcels and packages are shipped throughout the world on a daily
basis. Trying to segregate those parcels which contain narcotics is a difficult
task, to say the least. There are a number of investigative efforts that can be
used in this environment. First and foremost, a properly trained drug canine team needs to be in
place to conduct these types of operations. Without such a resource, parcel
cases are virtually impossible to make. The drug canine is the ultimate instrument
in the development of probable cause for the opening of a suspected
drug parcel. The canine should be a single-purpose drug dog whose handler
trains in the parcel/package environment.
There are three different types of business which law enforcement should
seek out when establishing a parcel interdiction group. First is the commercial
private system, such as the United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express,
Airborne Express, DHL Worldwide Express, and other freight services such
as Roadway and Yellow Freight Company. Then there are the independent
parcel companies including franchises such as Pac n’Send, Mail Boxes Etc.,
Zip-N-Ship, and others. The U.S. Postal Service is the third type of parcel
business that we will be exploring for suspicious activity.
With respect to the U.S. Postal Service, state and local law enforcement
officials must deal with the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office, which has primary
jurisdiction over all U.S. mail. The U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office works
closely with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service,
which inspects parcels and other cargo entering the borders of the UnitedStates.
State and local law enforcement, as well as federal authorities, do
not have jurisdiction in the investigation of narcotics shipped through the
U.S. Postal Service.
The U.S. Postal Inspector has a number of offices located throughout the
United States. The Postal Inspector’s Service monitors parcels through its
system and can provide historical information on previous parcels delivered
to a particular location. It also has tracking capabilities of anticipated suspect
drug parcels. The U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office works closely with state and
local law enforcement to conduct joint operations, including controlled deliveries.
If a state or local law enforcement does not have a relationship with
respect to a drug parcel unit, the Postal Inspector’s Service is a good partner
that can assist in drug parcel operations. When forming a drug parcel squad,
the law enforcement agency should reach out to the Postal Inspector’s Office
for the purpose of partnering in investigations.
Commercial private systems are typically extremely cooperative with law
enforcement in drug parcel investigations. Drug parcel groups should
approach company management and the loss prevention officer to initiate a
program. Independent parcel companies, which are franchise companies, generally
provide services for small business needs such as packing and shipping, and
providing business addresses. These small postal service centers are extremely
popular locations for drug traffickers to send and receive drug parcels. Many
of these facilities have mailbox rentals available.
Let us examine some of the possible indicators of criminal activity with
respect to parcel investigations. These indicators are not all-inclusive; however,
they have been found to be typical of the behavior and conduct of
individuals who are using parcel systems to facilitate drug transportation.
This behavior is typically identified during a face-to-face encounter at a
commercial and independent parcel service. Observation is typically made
at the counter when an individual is shipping or receiving parcels. Some of
these indicators of possible criminal activity are:
• Sender displays nervous tendencies
• Sender asks many questions as to the details of the delivery of parcel
• Sender information is fictitious
• Receiver address may not be correct; for example, a vacant lot or vacant
residence
• Receiver name may be fictitious
• Handwritten or typed airbills
• Handwritten or typed labels; business-to-business labels.
• Sender requests next-day air delivery and will pay a higher rate without
question
• New boxes
• Contents are not what is described
• Unusual contents described
• Sender arrives late or very close to closing time to mail parcel
• Sender calls facility to see what time it closes
• Sender is a first-time customer
• Sender has a continuous pattern of suspicious activity
• Mailbox rental receives parcels from source area and no other mail
• Parcel addressed from individual to individual or business to business
• Sender appears rushed and nervous, and provides contradictory information
about the parcel
• Strong odor emanating from parcel, possible masking agents
• Scented dryer sheets
• Mustard
• Axle grease
• Foam insulation
• Motor oil
• Parcel box flaps heavily glued
• Incorrect zip code
• Surveillance of location by receiver of a parcel
• Cash and corporate labels utilized
• Overall suspicious behavior of sender or receiver
An individual who asks many questions about parcel delivery such as
the exact time of delivery may be suspect. Fictitious sender information
such as name, address, and telephone number is common because the
sender does not want to be identified. Receiver address may not be correct,
for example, a vacant lot or an unoccupied residence that may be for sale.
The trafficker may be waiting at a vacant residence that is for sale or at a
residence that is not theirs that they are just using for a delivery. There may
have been surveillance to confirm this. A vacant lot or vacant residence is
a common delivery destination, where the delivery driver may drive by and
a person would flag him down, asking him if he had a package for that
location.
Once parcel staff has been trained to conduct operations on sorting facilities
and independent operational locations, investigators may utilize a
drug canine team to conduct random examinations at these facilities. In
the case of independent operations, the canine team may routinely conduct
random examinations of parcels. This process can be done quietly in areas
away from the public. Typically, when a parcel is received at the facility,
it is placed in a routing area with other parcels. The canine team can be
deployed to examine parcels at the location. Outgoing and incoming parcels
may be examined. In random examinations at sorting facilities such
as UPS, Federal Express, and Airborne, investigators may conduct visual
examinations of parcels, later segregating those parcels for examination
by the canine team. It is not recommended that the drug dog be placed
on a sorting belt for examination of parcels. The dog will lose interest if
“loaded†parcels (parcels with drugs) are not placed for it to find, or the
dog will tire after a time. Suspicious parcels should be segregated for the canine team to examine.
When the canine team advises the investigator that the dog has alerted for
the odor of narcotics in a suspected parcel, an investigation commences. An
outgoing parcel investigation should be conducted to verify sender information
such as name, address, and telephone number. Probable cause necessary
to obtain a search warrant for the parcel is developed in this way. It may be
necessary for investigators to verify location by driving by the address. A
sender address may not exist or may be part of a large apartment complex
with no apartment number. The sender name must be verified, and typically
is a common name or does not exist as it relates to a particular address and
telephone number.
At this time, investigators should notify the law enforcement agency in
the jurisdiction the parcel is being sent to, in order to discuss the receiver
information in their jurisdiction. Outgoing parcels are typically from source
cities or states or from an area from which currency may be sent to purchase
drugs. The receiver law enforcement agency should conduct an investigation
on the name and address. Typically, the name of the receiver is fictitious or
is a variation of the true name of the receiver. The address is generally correct,
because the sender wants the package to be delivered. However, the location
may be a “drop†location or a residence where the receiver may be waiting
for the parcel to be delivered. There may be information from the other law
enforcement regarding the location to which the parcel is addressed. Intelligence
information or other criminal investigations may reveal the location
to be a known drug house.
With a package that is to be delivered from business to business or individual
to business, the law enforcement agency should conduct a thorough
investigation as to ownership and management of that location. There have
been cases where, for example, a clerk at a convenience food store has used
that location to receive narcotics via a parcel. The package was addressed to
the convenience store, and the employee was awaiting delivery of the parcel.
If law enforcement agencies determine that the information on the sender
side is fictitious, coupled with the canine alert on the parcel, probable cause
would exist to obtain a search warrant. The local jurisdiction the parcel is
located in would prepare a search warrant and have a magistrate or judge
sign it for purposes of opening the suspected parcel. Before removing the
parcel for the purpose of obtaining a search warrant, a parcel facility should
be provided with a receipt for the item. The receipt should include the facility
name, location, package type, and the date and time that the parcel was taken
into custody, along with a police case number. There should be a description
of the parcel or parcels. The receipt should be signed by the person releasing
the property and by the investigator. A copy of this property receipt form
should be provided to the facility for their records and also be kept as part
of the case file.
Parcels from commercial parcel services can be tracked via the Internet
or by telephone. With a tracking number, a package can be tracked to its
destination and where it is currently located. The package may leave a
location to go to a hub area, and be distributed from that location. Management
or loss prevention personnel of the facility should be asked to make a computer
entry in their system so that if the drug trafficker checks
the parcel by tracking number, it is not reflected that the parcel was taken
into police custody. This should be discussed, and the tracking may reflect
that there was some sort of sorting problem and that the parcel is at a
particular location. This is extremely important with overnight parcels, as
time is critical in the delivery of the parcel, which makes it very difficult
to conduct a controlled delivery in a timely fashion.
Once probable cause is developed and a search warrant is obtained and
signed, the parcel may be opened for examination by the law enforcement
agency. It should be opened carefully so as to not damage the parcel in its
original state. Once the interior of the parcel has been examined for the
verification of narcotics, the investigators may take a sample of the contents
before delivery in case the parcel is destroyed during the controlled delivery.
The parcel should be closed and placed in another parcel, initialed, and
dated. It can then be sent through the parcel system to the investigators
conducting the controlled delivery in the destination jurisdiction. A copy
of the search warrant that was executed on the parcel should be made
available to the receiving agency. This will assist in preparing an anticipatory
search warrant in preparation for the controlled delivery of the parcel
to a residence or business. All investigative documents should be forwarded
to the agency as well.
A police agency that has a parcel investigative group in another jurisdiction
may contact your agency to ask if you would like to receive a package
that has been identified with narcotics. The same steps are taken in preparing
for your agency to conduct a controlled delivery in your jurisdiction.
Typically, the other law enforcement agency will conduct a thorough investigation
and develop probable cause to obtain a search warrant to open the
suspected parcel. They may take a sample of the narcotics and then send
the parcel with all of the documentation to your agency. Once the incoming
parcel is taken into custody at your end, investigators should conduct as
thorough an investigation as possible of the individuals who will be taking
delivery of the parcel.
CONTROLLED DELIVERIES
Once the agency has taken custody of an incoming parcel from another
jurisdiction, all documentation should be reviewed including the search warrant
and other pertinent information. The parcel group should conduct an
investigation including drive-bys of receiver locations to see if there is anyone
at the location who can be identified. Information that can be verified from
vehicle tag information, residence information, and any other source of
information should be explored. Once all of the information has been developed,
a controlled delivery is an investigative option.
A controlled delivery is delivery of a parcel, package, or envelope containing
narcotics under controlled circumstances that has been sent either
via a commercial private parcel company or the U.S. Postal system. The
actual physical delivery is typically made by a police officer in an undercover
capacity, or by the U.S. Postal Inspector if the parcel is U.S. Mail. Under
these controlled circumstances, the objective is to have a law enforcement
officer make the delivery of the parcel to the suspect, who will either sign
for or take custody of the parcel. The undercover agent will attempt to
solicit any statements in which the suspect may admit knowledge of the
parcel delivery. The key to any parcel investigation is for law enforcement
to prove that the subject had knowledge of the parcel’s contents. This is
critical to the prosecution of the suspect in a parcel investigation. It is
virtually impossible to litigate a criminal case without proving knowledge
of contents.
The difficulty with controlled deliveries is timeliness. There is limited
investigative time if the parcel is sent overnight or express mail. Many traffickers
will instruct associates not to accept parcels if they are late. This is a
difficult proposition for law enforcement. An officer may attempt to deliver
a suspect package but the person will not accept it, because he knows that
commercial parcel companies guarantee delivery by a certain time.
Once a decision has been made to conduct a controlled delivery of a
parcel, most states allow an anticipatory search warrant to be drafted. An
anticipatory search warrant is prepared in anticipation of a controlled
delivery of a parcel to a premises. Probable cause, which led the law enforcement
agency to the discovery of the parcel, should be included and articulated
in the anticipatory search warrant. All fictitious information, type
of drugs, examinations, and all other pertinent information should be
included in the anticipatory search warrant.
In some jurisdictions, a judge or magistrate will sign the anticipatory
search warrant before the controlled delivery of a parcel. In other jurisdictions,
the parcel must be delivered and be in the premises before the anticipatory
search warrant is signed. In that case, the investigator will be in the
presence of a judge and as soon as he is advised that the parcel is in the
location, the anticipatory search warrant is signed by the judge. In some
jurisdictions, with an anticipatory search warrant, once the parcel that was
delivered during the controlled delivery is located, the search must be terminated.
In other jurisdictions, investigators may be allowed to include other
items as part of the search warrant such as documents related to the parcel
activity. This must be discussed with the U.S. Attorney’s office, or state or
district attorney’s office in the particular jurisdiction.
In addition to preparing the anticipatory search warrant, investigators
may consider placing an electronic alarm device within the suspect parcel.
This court-ordered tracking device emits a tone once placed inside the parcel.
When the recipient opens the parcel, the device emits a tone that alerts
investigators that the parcel has been opened. The placement and monitoring
of this type of electronic device requires issuance of a court order. Application
for a court order-authorized mobile tracking device is a separate document
from the anticipatory search warrant. The mobile tracking device order
should indicate that law enforcement placed the device in a suspected package
parcel to track the parcel to its ultimate destination and to alert that the
parcel has been opened. No monitoring of conversation is permitted under
these circumstances. Typically, the initial tone of the device is a slow beep
tone and once the alarm has been triggered, it emits a fast, flowing tone. The
criteria for use of an electronic device are the size of the parcel. It is very
difficult to place, for example, a device in an overnight envelope. The box
should be large enough to house this type of device. Law enforcement agencies
can purchase these electronic alarm devices from a variety of vendors.
The device is the size of a credit card or smaller, and less than 1/8in thick.
In preparation for the controlled delivery, investigators should conduct
pre-surveillance of the targeted location in an attempt to identify any individuals
related to the case or any suspicious activity at the location. In a
controlled delivery operation, law enforcement should take the same steps
as for preparation of any search warrant execution. An operational briefing
should be conducted; entry teams and search teams will be assigned with
regard to execution of the search warrant.
When conducting a controlled delivery with a commercial private carrier,
loss prevention personnel will assist in the delivery. The facility will provide
the necessary equipment such as a delivery truck, delivery attire, and necessary
documents to accomplish the delivery. In a controlled delivery using
U.S. mail, the U.S. Postal Inspector’s office will conduct the controlled delivery
with the local, state, or other federal agency. The delivery will be conducted
by someone wearing U.S. Postal Service attire.
During a controlled delivery, electronic surveillance should be used to
secure evidence. Electronic devices such as a body bugs may be used by the
investigator making the controlled delivery for the purposes of safety and to
obtain any evidentiary conversation with the suspect or suspects. The use of
video equipment to conduct electronic surveillance of the controlled delivery
is suggested and can be used as evidence in the case. Surveillance teams should
be in place for mobile surveillance in case the suspect takes custody of the
parcel and departs the location once the delivery has been made. Mobile
units as well as air support, if available, with either a fixed-wing plane or a
helicopter, is suggested.
The decision to stop or detain the suspects is different in every case. The
circumstances will dictate the approach. One of the difficulties in conducting
controlled deliveries is the wait — how long it will take the individual to
open the parcel after he takes delivery. This goes toward proving knowledge
in a parcel case. The electronic alarm device makes this easier. When an alarm
device is not feasible due to the size of the parcel, investigators may find
themselves playing a guessing game as to how long to give the individual
before making entry to a location. If no alarm device is available, investigators
must give ample time for the parcel to be opened. Again, circumstances will
dictate what occurs. If the suspect departs a location and may have the parcel
or the substance contained on his person, a decision may be made to detain
the individual.
Experienced traffickers may wait long periods of time, even a number of
days, before opening a parcel. The agency must make a decision with respect
to how long it will monitor the situation, which will depend on resources
and other factors. In many parcel cases, the use of a “drop house†or business
is used. A drop house is typically a location designated by the sender and
receiver for a parcel to be delivered to. Lower level associates typically staff
it. It may be a friend’s or relative’s home or business or an unknown residence
where there is no relationship to the suspect, such as a vacant home that is
for sale.
There are advantages to the use of a drop house by drug traffickers. Since
it is not the suspect’s main residence, the receiver can claim that he had no
knowledge of the parcel. The parcel is generally not opened at that location
but is picked up by associates and taken to another location where it is
opened. The difficulty in all of this is attempting to keep track of the parcel.
The parcel may be delivered at the drop house, at which time the appropriate
individuals are contacted, and they arrive and take custody of the parcel. If
the package is large enough to be seen being removed from the location,
investigators may attempt to conduct a surveillance and track the parcel with
the tracking alarm device if one is placed. Once the suspected parcel is taken
into another location, whether a business or residence, investigators may wait
until the alarm is triggered, and then make contact with individuals at the
location, securing the residence, and obtaining a search warrant. The law
allows for law enforcement to be able to secure a residence and obtain a
search warrant based on the circumstances described.
Once an anticipatory search warrant has been executed in a case where
a parcel goes into an original location or premises, a number of investigative
efforts take place. During the search of a residence, investigators should look
for telephone billing information. Any telephone records showing out-oftown
telephone numbers may be seized as part of the search warrant. Followup
efforts can be made by possibly identifying the source sender.
The interview of the receiver suspect should be conducted as soon as
possible. The individual may cooperate with law enforcement and enable
investigators to use some innovative options to make a case with the sender.
In cooperation with law enforcement, the cooperative suspect may contact
his source while law enforcement conducts a controlled monitored recorded
telephone conversation between the cooperative individual and the source.
There may be an opportunity for a delivery of monies that are owed for the
narcotics to be made by another jurisdiction, if the suspect cooperates.
Attempt to identify the source during the interview of the receiver suspect.
Obtain information about where the individual resides; names, telephone
numbers, and other pertinent information.
Many agencies that have parcel task force groups have tried an investigative
method known as a “reverse knock and talk.†This is used where
timeliness is a factor and the parcel could not be delivered due to a variety
of circumstances, such as resource issues. The reverse knock and talk is
when investigators contact the individuals at the address on the label of
the parcel containing the drugs. Generally, the name will be fictitious. The
agents ask if they can speak with the party and ask if he has knowledge of
a parcel being delivered at his location. Many will deny any knowledge of
the parcel. Others will admit to having knowledge of the contents and will
provide details about the package and its delivery. The individual may
cooperate and assist in follow-up operations. Nothing ventured, nothing
gained is the motto here. Why not take a shot at trying to further the
investigation, unless other information is developed and a long-term operation
is warranted.
Follow-up efforts may include trash or garbage pulls from the suspect
residence to determine what activity may be occurring. Trash pulls are
permissible from a residence or business if the trash is put out to the
curb for collection. Investigators should not take trash from the residence
if it is near the home such as by the garage; it must be clearly left on the
curb for collection, where there is no expectation by the owner that it
will not be taken. Trash should be examined for remnants or trace
amounts of drugs, evidence of parcel activity such as discarded packaging
from parcels received, and other evidence of narcotic activity. Investigators
have found trace amounts of drugs in discarded packages. All of this
evidence can be used if there is a pattern to track parcels being delivered
at the location as well as build probable cause for a search warrant for
the premises. These are all options that the investigator may take into
consideration.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the investigative arm of the U.S.
Postal Service. Postal inspectors are federal law enforcement officers who
enforce over 200 federal laws in investigations of crime to include controlled
substances. Under U.S. Code 21, U.S. C841, 843, and 844, postal
inspectors initiate investigations related to transportation and distribution
of narcotics through the U.S. Mail or other postal facilities. The U.S.
Postal Inspection Service cooperates with local, state, and other federal
law enforcement agencies in controlled substance operations. These joint
investigative efforts with local authorities are part of parcel interdiction
groups around the country. The postal inspectors investigate individuals
who utilize the U.S. Postal system to facilitate the transportation of narcotics.
The postal inspector’s office does perform the controlled deliveries
of suspected parcels with the assistance of local, state, and other federal
authorities. The U.S. Postal Inspector is typically the individual who
makes a controlled delivery of U.S. mail. Federal search warrants are only
used in searching U.S. mail. State search warrants are not valid in the
searching of U.S. mail.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service can also assist local law enforcement
in identifying patterns of activity, through what is known as “mail watch.â€
With a mail watch, investigators can identify patterns of incoming and outgoing
mail by an individual. Correspondence with the suspect of incoming
mail only is known as a “mail cover.†Investigators can identify correspondence
with the suspect from other individuals. The U.S. Postal Inspection
Service can also conduct a historical search of mail being delivered to a
particular location."
. Most buyers and vendors would suggest all of that is going overboard but if you are paranoid that is the way to go and gives you a legal loophole out of any trouble until you can safely hide it (I think burying is always the best option, particularly off your property).
