We serve clients throughout California and nationwide facing asset forfeiture. In a new spin on the package delivery scheme, scammers are no longer posing as mail carriers. I felt I had someone very strongly going to bat for me. No, the specific meaning of this term is that law enforcement has taken custody of the package. Fraudsters are sending out virus infected emails that claim a package has been seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom. Because of that, you cant ship it from one state to another. Because of this protection against search and seizure procedures, many prefer this choice for shipping drugs; however, the Post Office can get a warrant if they believe a package is suspicious. I just print out my label and just paste it on and drop it off at my local USPS bulk mail like I have been doing for years. Police officers and other law enforcement agencies regularly seize currency or money sent through shipping packages. ever to fight back. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. When a package needs to be shipped or transported within the United States, it should be carried out either through the U.S. Whereas government agencies will make it appear like they have every right to seize your property since you, your household member, or your loved one is accused of an offense, dont listen. The investigation by your attorney will work to identify all witnesses, required shipping documentation, and any other evidence necessary to build a solid representation of your case. If you arent under investigation, then DHL is usually free to tell you what happened and help you find a path to resolution. When FedEx finds drugs in a package, they will seize that package. [X] No thanks! Depending on where the package is seized, you might be entitled to a letter of seizure, but that varies by country. Aware_Refrigerator43 2 days ago. In theory, such a package would be released back to you once it is cleared of danger. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Contact Asset Forfeiture Attorney right away to begin this process as you only have thirty days from the day you receive the notice to file this petition. You will want an attorney with you during this meeting so that you do not say anything incriminating that can later be used against you. Lentz Law Firm This determination is important as there are specific rules to follow depending on who will handle the seizure process. This is Aalto. Residents who receive such callsshouldmake a note of the number and any otherpertinent details about the call, immediately hang up, and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers The call disconnected immediately. Each day there are a lot of shipping packages and merchandise that get examined, detained, or are seized by the United States Customs or other law enforcement officers. As a simple example, if you and a friend are both under investigation, then the authorities can seize just about anything you ship to each other, as long as they can justify the suspicion. I would just like everyone to remember if you get a call stating they are CBP and asking for money to just hang up.. If goods are shipped from overseas to the United States, they are considered imported packages or products. 604-495-8501 Robotic voice says they are from Canada Border Services that seized a parcel with my name on it that contained "illegal components . There are specific items and materials that you are not allowed to ship in a country. I got the same call today. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If it is detained, it might be something as simple as needing a clearer description for proper tariff classification, or detained for payment of duties. Especially not specifying what my name is and whatnot. Sometimes, even the slightest deviation from a legal statutory can make the difference between getting your seized item back and losing it forever. Once your shipping package is seized, you need to contact the law enforcement. The notice should also contain the legal basis for which your shipment was seized. If it is your belief this seizure was illegal, and that the United States Customs and Border have no legal claim to your shipped items, you may want to challenge the seizure through an administration petition. Using the evidence, your attorney can engage in settlement negotiations with the government agency involved in seizing your shipping package. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I-130 is still pending Press J to jump to the feed. What happens if a package is seized by customs Canada? An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. According to a news release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers nationwide are continuing to receive numerous calls from residents concerned about unsolicited calls from scammers posing as officials. Residents report the calls are a pre-recorded message stating, a box of drugs and money being shipped has your (callers) name on it and it has been intercepted. The caller is then instructed to press #1 to speak with a CBP Officer/Agent, which then attempts to get the callers banking information. Lets start by fleshing out package seizure. If you have a package that needs transporting or shipping within the United States, you should send through the United States Postal Service or a private carrier, such as FedEx or UPS. A close inspection deemed your items as counterfeit and the manufacturers have been notified. As per the United States Postal Inspection Service, the first-class letters and packages are safeguarded against search and seizure under the fourth amendment to the constitution; and that is why such items are not allowed to be opened if there is no search warrant. It is not marked as damaged (although the contents can be damaged by the seizure process). We are committed to helping our clients avoid an unjust prosecution at the federal or state level! A seized package is not lost or stolen. The first is that regulations require them to seize the package. It is advisable to immediately seek legal advice if you think that your package has been seized illegally or if you have received a notice of seizure by the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures (FP&F) office.Typically, a seizure notice is forwarded to the alleged violator and contains information about what and where the cargo was seized in addition to the legal basis for the seizure. Intellectual property rights are those items that can represent a high-risk area that could potentially cause significant harm to the United States economy or pose a threat to the safety and health of the American people. The second is that the package contents are linked to criminal activity or some kind of investigation. These notices are typically sent out to someone who is an alleged violator with the information on what and where your shipment was seized. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail. Our son had his money confiscated on a charge that was not true. makes no warranties or guarantees of case outcomes. He had receipts showing he had used his credit card to pay for the shipping, not cash. Ill break it down by major carriers, but even then, the reason for seizure will matter a lot. In some cases, an importer of an illegal or banned item can be arrested and imprisoned for their involvement in shipping these items. Follow @CBP for the most up-to-date information about this topic. Makes me so happy! The USPS workers partner with the state and local drug task forces to perform their drug parcel investigations. You need to ship out! Some tests damage the thing under suspicion, and other tests can even render the contents contaminated (ironic, right?). First, you have the right to know who seized your money and why it has been seized. Instead, youll see that its stuck at some point in the shipping process with no updates. HANG UP! So, a USPS packagecanbe seized, but its actually harder to do than with a private carrier. It is not marked as damaged (although the contents can be damaged by the seizure process). In both California and Federal courts, you have the right to demand a jury trial to resolve your shipping package seizure case. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Some K-9 dogs even get trained to sense the smell of cash and currency over time. Controlled Substances like Weed, Cocaine, or Prescription Drugs. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Why would law enforcement want to take your box? Jacek's knowledge of the forfeiture laws and experience enable him to get the best possible results. They will then inform a law enforcement agency about their concerns. Pot is legal in California; however, it is a felony under 18 U.S. Code 1716 to send marijuana through the United States Post Office even if it is being mailed within the boundaries of the State of California. This process will resemble the FedEx experience. may have solved one of the perpetual annoyances of living in the telephone age. Whereas government agencies will make it appear like they have every right to seize your property since you, your household member, or your loved one is accused of an offense, dont listen. The filing of the petition will eventually lead to a court trial where the Customs department must prove it had a legal right to seize your item or items. Thank you all for sharing yours. Depending on the nature of the seizure, you might have a long legal battle ahead of you. Every day, a lot of shipping packages and merchandise are examined, detained, and seized from the U.S. Customs and other law enforcement officers during checks at the airports, seaports, and other border crossings. The receipt had his working phone number listed, which he had used twice to call the Greenville police, and he had a receipt for the purchase of the money orders. Private carriers such as DHL, FedEx, or the UPS are not federal government agencies and therefore do not require a search warrant to check packages if they deem them suspicious. This doesnt mean that the story is over. DULUTH, Minn A new type of telephone scam is targeting Duluth residents in an attempt to gain banking information from unsuspecting residents. Transcript This call is from u.s. Customs and Border Protection the reason of this call is to inform you about a package has been seized under your name by u.s. Customs and Border Protection with contraband of drugs and cash so kindly call as back 15614933137 dot I repeat 561-493-3137 dot Thank you.