Imagine hitting the road carrying a large, heavy suitcase, a golden retriever, and two regular-sized laptops. That’s about the weight in drugs Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) found a USPS employee was smuggling into Southern California from Mexico: 33 kg of cocaine, 26 kg of fentanyl pills, and 3 kg of heroin — a combined 136 lb.!
The mail carrier was arrested at the San Ysidro border just shy of her ninth anniversary with USPS. She had tried crossing in her personal vehicle, which had been modified to conceal drugs in the gas compartment. A K-9 officer at the border detected the scent of drugs and officers also confirmed a strong gasoline odor, as the drug-laden tank was leaking fuel.
Even more egregious was that the employee was caught in full postal uniform — a failed strategy to avoid scrutiny and detection. But she knew her time was up, and instead of cooperating with HSI, she asked for an attorney. Suspecting a pattern, HSI called in our special agents to investigate the extent of her crimes.
The joint investigation determined the woman had knowingly and intentionally exploited her position as a Postal Service employee to help bring dangerous narcotics into the country. When she was caught in July 2024, she was on unpaid leave for almost four months and evidence showed her crossing the border several times while wearing her postal uniform or displaying USPS insignia.
The employee was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of bringing controlled substances into the U.S. At her sentencing, the court ordered her to three years in federal prison plus another three years of supervised release, and to be immediately remanded into custody of the U.S. Marshals to begin serving her sentence.
Postal employees who turn to crime give USPS a bad name and endanger the health and safety of our communities. If you suspect or know of narcotics trafficking involving Postal Service employees or contractors, please report it to our Hotline.
