USA - home searched due to mail orders

[TazBeBad]

I though I would share my experence with the US Postal Service and MS Bureau of Narcotics.


This started in 2001. I had ordered a few meds over the internet, diet meds, valium, and Tylonyl#3, over a period ofa couple years. Some came from overseas and were shipped via US Postal Service.


Although I didn't know it at the time, one place in Mexico got taken down, and they got their shipping information. (my address, at work and at home) They, the Postal Service, got a warrant to go through my mail. They did this for about 6 months, and kept what they thought they might could use against me. In May, 2003, I was asked to meet at my local PostOffice to help them with an employee they had found that was going through people's mail, I fell for this, went to the Post Office, they asked me a couple af questions, handed me an envolope I had ordered, and let me go. As I was walking out, they arrested me, took me to the back, gave me my rights, and asked if I would talk. I didn't think what I had done was actually illegal, & I knew one of the local guys, so I agreed.


I explained some medical problems I have had and what I had ordered. They had looked at everything in our mail and asked about this specifically (books on WW2, books about Hitler, books about legal herbs, sex toys ordered for me & my wife) We then took a short ride to my house where 8 agents with a dog searched my home. (they had a warrent) I told them I would give them the pills, which I did, and they looked everywhere else for more or for other stuff they thought I might have. All they got were about 75 valium, 50 Xanax, and about 100 diet pills. I had Viagra, internet ordered, but they said that was OK. They also took my computer, it was specifically listed on the warrent. (returned the computer about 3 weeks later by way of the Postal Service, the hard drive was labled as copied in Illinois)


The search took about 2 hours. The only things they got were what I given them. They left, I retained a high profile attorney, and now I wait. I haven't heard anything official from them since they left my house, although since I live in a small town, I have heard rumers, that they were putting things together for the Grand Jury.


My attorney advised me that the longer things took, they better they were. I asked my Doctor about it, and she said several of her patients ordered via internet, but most were delivered by FedEx or UPS. After ordering nothing for about a year, I have once again started ordering a few meds shipped by Fed Ex


I'm at about 18 months since my visit, and hope this sleeping dog continues to sleep.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Thanks for the info.
	Wow thanks for sharing your experience, and we thought the Nazis were bad!
	Thanks for sharing this experience.
	Great story! This looks like something taken from the pages of my Criminal Procedure exam!

[Alfa]

That's a good argument for disk wipe programs like windows washer, etc.


Please examine your hard disk thoroughly for things that they might find interesting. Chart possible problems and think of solutions for optimal defense.

[WhiteRyan]

Yeah protect your MOTHER F***ING NECK. but for real, I had a frrrriend heh who ordered zanex off the internet...so thats illigal? WTF ????

[Pinkavvy]

I hope you're note getting things shipped to the same house.

Make sure you have no evidence on your computer, and no evidence at your home. if you have been prescribed these pills in the past, simply keep the container your script came in and refill those containers when you order more.

it's not illegal to not take your medicine and have posession of it.

[discobloodbath]

is this common? what about with other mail deliever services, like fed ex etc.. are they safer than tradtional us mail

[TazBeBad]

This case, & the possible charges, were new to the attorney I retained. He suggested it would be best for me if the Postal Servicedidn't file charges, since they would be Federal, and fall under Federal sentencing guidelines if they persue things & I am convicted, or plea. Dealing with the State would be better, or offer less specfic guidelines for a judge.


Although I think it's a bunch of bullshit, you never know what might unfold. My local druggest (Legit drugstore) said they've never asked him what locally written scripts I actually had. Right after this happened, I got him to print out a list of everything my wife or I had filled during the previous 2 years. This was over seven pages long, due to the fact I had surgery to remove a maglinant tumor, then took interfuron for a year. I continue to ask if he has had a request for the list, which he has not, but the lawer indicated they might not think to ask for this. I was prescribed all kinds of great medicine, and took it all, but on Valium or Xanax, I never got a script from a doctor I actually visited.


The sites I ordered these from mostly offered online consultations, and some send a type of script, some in a labeled bottle. Things have actually got a easier to find sites since I placed my 1st order, but I do think that my problem started with the Post Office being involved.


And Alfa, you're exactly correct, our drives need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Another thing, as for keeping paperwork of orders, keep a few in a file as the "only med file", and keep the rest elsewhere. Once I gave them a "med folder", they didn't look for more records. My pharmacist advised to keep the total supply of each pill under about 100, that a lot more than this might be reason for a charge of intent ofdistribution.


The stuff on my home computer would show anything I read or looked at since I got the PC. I had even transferred my drive from my older pc to the newer pc, so they could actually go back several years. My lawyer asked if I had any kiddie porn, which I didn't, but I've been to all types of sites and forums, never thinking anyone would know. If I could be convitced on moral judgement, I'd be put away for ever. But maybe that won't happen. As each day passes since the search, I feel a little more comfortable. I am trying to live in today, and not project a bunch of what if's.


Finally, the day I was asked to make a visit to the Post Office, as I drove from my work to meet this investigator looking into their internal problems, I got a funny feeling, that I'll never forget. I thought something might be up, but disregared the feeling and continued on my way. I should have followed my gut, got things together at home, and been prepared, but I wasn't. I got sloppy, content, and comfortable, and made it too easy for them.

[P!MPJU!C3]

I cant believe this.

Is America turning in 2 a police state?

Its time 4 a case against police brutality. Blow these motherfuckers away. They r suposed 2 protect freedome not take it away.

Perfectly normal ordering meds over the net.

[TazBeBad]

Ok, everyone see my original post date? 2 days ago, for a search done in May of 03. I got an inditement delivered today, for possession of Diazepam. My court date is Nov 18th. Talk about bad timing! I'll keep you updated.

[thydarkprevails]

best of luck to you my friend...i noticed you said something about illinois...being a joliet resident..i know how the smalltown cops are here..booo

[nosociety]

thats absolutley ridiculous

that kinda scares me about trading drugs through the mail

but ill make sure to keep my computer clean if i ever do anything like that

[joevette]

Can we get some feedback on how the court day went?

[TazBeBad]

Well here's an update: I still don't know much.


This is my 1st time to go through this crap; but last week on my initial court date, I 1st met with my lawyer, he went with me to see a probation officer.This guyjust made a list of a bunch of info of my personal life, & finances, mainly to see if I was a risk of flight. (He made a written recomendation to the judge for bail). He also asked about current drug use, and did a piss test on me, which I passed. I think it was for alcohol, pot, coke, & something else. A 2 minute test all contained in a bottle. He also took my 1st picture.


Next, we met withthePostal Inspector (who seems to be behind this),he fingerprinted and took pics, all at a booking room at the post office. (Ink & regular camera)


Then, Court:


Other people were there with about 5 cases. Lawyers and us crooks. He asked how I plead to the inditement, "NOT Guilty your honor". He set a court date of January 1oth, and placed me on an unsecured bail of $10,000, so I left with on money down.He stressed that I was now on probation, and any fuck up I have will be another felony, and revoke the unsecured bail. The probation includes staying in the State, possible random drug tests, no alcohol, no firearms. After my court appearance, I got another fingerprint & pics, this time all digital.


I'm still not sure what they want from me. I've read on several sites, FDA,US Postal Service,Congressional, and they seem to have conflicting info. Time will tell just what they want, and how aggressive they will presue this. I'll keep you posted.


One last thing, the cost of my defense. My attorney wanted $5000.00 up front. I paid this last May, in 2003, which was to prepay the 1st 40 hours of legal work. I don't doubt that it's about time to pay more, but I'm not bringing it up.

[granby140]

be safe bros and vary shipping info and addies up often

[DiggerDan]

I feel for you bro. I am currently OR'd on 5 felony charges. I was arrested 2 years ago this November but have yet to be indicted.

I was busted by the Postal Inspector this past September, indicted in
October, and am currently OR'd as well. I'll probly end up pleading to
a misdemeanor attempted possession charge. They are getting very
aggressive about going after mail order drug business. Not only can
they get you for possession and misusing the federal mail, but if they
can prove you used the Internet to order it that's a felony all on its
own. Not pretty.

[djryand]

That really sucks for you guys. I hope everything turns out ok and that you get probation at the worst. Can't believe these losers have nothing better to do. Go fight some real crime pussys!!!!!

[granby140]

never use usps tahts just stupid

[cich]

Glad the Salvia is legal here.... It was shipped via USPS priority... STILL took two goddamned fucking weeks ANYWAYS!!

Originally Posted by granby140

never use usps tahts just stupid

Ordering drugs over the Internet in general might be stupid, but as far
as I can tell it doesn't make too much difference whether it's USPS,
UPS, Fedex, etc. They'll all cooperate with the feds if they have a
warrant. In my case, all the evidence they needed was collected on-line
by them busting and then posing as someone who used to be a reliable
seller. Then the cops just delivered an empty package themselves. The
actual mail system wasn't really involved.

[discobloodbath]

Originally Posted by VictorBorge

I was busted by the Postal Inspector this past September, indicted in
October, and am currently OR'd as well. I'll probly end up pleading to
a misdemeanor attempted possession charge. They are getting very
aggressive about going after mail order drug business. Not only can
they get you for possession and misusing the federal mail, but if they
can prove you used the Internet to order it that's a felony all on its
own. Not pretty.

what were u busted with attempting to get?

One bottle of Kellogg's Special K

[cyalume]

Originally Posted by Alfa

That's a good argument for disk wipe programs like windows washer, etc.


Please examine your hard disk thoroughly for things that they might find interesting. Chart possible problems and think of solutions for optimal defense.

I recommend full disk encryption software such as DriveCrypt

[Triple7]

You guys could also download knoppix for free, it is a linux distro..
and use internet without saving somthing on your harddisk. goto
http://www.knoppix.org



What you get from there is a CD.. you start the computer from the CD..
make sure it boots from CD before the harddrive. And if you are lucky..
knoppix is up and running after a little tweaking. Start mozilla and
surf.



When you guys format your harddrives, it could be an good idea to deep
format several times. Make sure to know what is meant by deep format.
If you do the quick one.. you lost nothing.. it is like you got a book,
and you wiped off the page numbers.. still all info is left. Make sure
to wipe the contonts of the pages aswell.

[Triple7]

OH.. and use explorer as little as possible.. you can't imagine how much info it leaves in your computer.



If you gave me your computer.. then I could browse into hidden
directiores, and see what pages you visited, what content you had in
them.. and i would see pictures aswell.. no internet is needed... also
I would be able to read your emails.. and see what you posted here in
the forums. Clearing cash with help of explorer.. cleares nothing!!!
They are still there.. and some removal softaware just removes the
"page numbers".. you overwrite your files to get rid of them.

[Dualpower]

Wow in Canada shipping is virtually free from prying eyes. I have a
couple friends who work in puralator depots. According to them, the
only time anyone cares what is in a package is if it is alive or if it
has been broken.