For most mail carriers in the United States, a career with the Postal Service provides steady income, generous benefits, and a one-of-a-kind connection to the community they serve. However, some squander it all by colluding with criminals who know postal employees are highly desirable prey, given their access to the vast postal network.
A mail carrier in Louisiana recently kissed his career with the Postal Service goodbye after he was caught in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy. Worse yet — he’s now serving the first of an almost nine-year sentence in federal prison.
This case kicked off when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service — USPS’s law enforcement arm — contacted our Office of Investigations after tracking suspicious packages from California destined to a small area of northern Louisiana. Our special agents became part of the narcotics task force alongside investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The task force had intercepted two parcels containing 10 lbs. of methamphetamine — roughly the weight of a small microwave. The investigation soon zeroed in on a mail carrier suspected of diverting and delivering the packages to outside accomplices.
Our special agents and their law enforcement partners intercepted another package carrying over 2 lbs. of marijuana, after which they successfully conducted a sting operation. This led to the arrest of the mail carrier and one of his co-conspirators on narcotics charges. When they apprehended the accomplice, investigators also found a handgun in his car, which would add another criminal charge to his record.
A search warrant of the employee’s phone revealed he’d been in touch with several members of the criminal organization. He later admitted to delivering drug-laden packages twice per month as well as providing his co-conspirators other resources to move the packages in from California while reducing the risk of detection.
The employee told investigators he saw the gig as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. His biggest mistake was not realizing mail-related crimes never are.
If you suspect or know of narcotics trafficking involving Postal Service employees or contractors, please report it to our Hotline.
