The part I found most interesting was the part about the warrant getting and the like. I've seen speculation that these private carriers can inspect-at-will. Heres some selected quotes, the article is pretty good. Local newspaper to the story. Ever been to missoula, mt?
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On March 30, Prosser learned that a package containing 20 grams of marijuana had been confiscated by federal agents. The package was clearly addressed to Prosser and even gave the return address of her designated caregiver, who is registered through Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services.

...

So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

“We did seize that marijuana,” Sweetin said. “It came to our attention that there was a package being shipped via UPS that was thought to contain marijuana. We obtained a federal search warrant because we had probable cause to believe it contained marijuana.”

[EZB581]

UPS offer cash rewards to employees who find packages with illegal contents. Anything from drugs to hazardous materials.

[ItsGrowTime]

Originally Posted by sgt.stedanko

So when a UPS employee flagged the package as “suspicious,” apparently due to its strong odor, the company's security officer called 9-1-1 and the complaint was forwarded to Missoula's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

Originally Posted by ItsGrowTime

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

Was gonna point that out myself.

[stretchpup]

Dang, I hope that wasn't my bag!!!

Hello Vacume Sealer. I hear you suck, and suck well.

No excuse but laziness for packages stinking, IMO. I don't think many in the know use UPS anyway.

Yea the folks doing medical shit seem to generally think they're playing a different game which does not require discression.

But really my reason for posting this is because it appears to clear up some misinformation floating around that these guys can open your packages at will. Having to get a federal warrant with probable cause is a pretty big step. Doesn't look like hunches apply - legally.

mailing weed is retarded anyway.

[stretchpup]

I agree with you and glad you posted this- but I think too much emphasis was put on getting a warrant, like that's hard for them.

I'm no lawyer.

But I know we're only told what the media says, and what the report says, and we all know police and media are 100% accurate and honest all the time?

They'll open it at will when a UPS pot smoker with a keen nose notices something. Happens all the time I bet. I can count on more than one hand how many guys in this hobby have mentioned pot shipments never making it.

Now unless the feds are planning a big sting on a bunch of 250w closet growers and still staking them out years later, someone's snatching it up.

Playing devils advocate:

Even so, if it were your shipment, who's to say UPS did not open it and THEN call the 5-0? "We found it open." "It dropped from the shelf and split open"

Of course after he snatches the majority of it and THEN reports it, if even.

Well, you'd still go down and they'll take the UPS workers word for it.

I don't think it's too hard to obtain a warrant when you have a box stinking like an illegal drug in front of you. I know little about what is involved with it, but I'm sure it's just like Detective Benson on Law and Order. Easy with probable cause.

How many arms do you think the police had to twist to get a warrant for a stank-ass weedy box?

[b10narybud]

Originally Posted by ItsGrowTime

Hahaha. Im sure Missoula is a hotbed of drug activity out there in the middle of nowhere.

actually, i'm from near the area.. Alot of the local weed we get comes from that part of montana and arround the billings, montana area.

Actually, its a very big hotspot for all kinds of drugs...not just marijuana.

You'd be suprised sometimes....

[flux]

Shipping illegal substances through a third party is fucking retarded IMO especially if its something like MJ which can easily be detected by Dogs. (stinky stinky stinky)

Maybe the guy should have got some insurance on his 20g. lol.

[SEEDYNONO]

put the damn shit in a mason jar and wash the outside of the jar.