The help the spread of the virus, the emails also says: you will need to have access to a computer to download and open the Zip file. Best thing I ever did! Based on that, U.S. Customs will eventually either grant release of the seized shipping package or reject the petition and decide not to release the packaged seized. With other carriers, it is more likely that you will receive a message requesting that you contact the carrier. I didn't think I would get any of it back. Skyler Dominating Walter in Breaking Bad: Why. There are a lot of reasons a person can choose to send money through an insured parcel; however, police typically use the excuse that there is reason to believe it is being sent to assist in criminal activity. Asset forfeiture can even be invoked with a package being mailed to you, that you have never had possession of. Similarly, K-9 dog alerts can be questioned by looking at other sources too. Only I played along for a while wasting their time and having a ball of my own. So aslong as you haven't receieved a letter it most likely just had an error in the mail and should still be arriving perfectly. Law enforcement will instruct FedEx as to what they can say and how they can say it. What is the Difference Between Asset Seizure and Asset Forfeiture? If further investigation points towards the high likelihood of prohibited or restricted content, it is opened and seized by law enforcement. From the beginning of my process of trying to recover my funds which were seized by the DEA, Mr. Lentz was very professional and gave me tremendous guidance during a very frustrating time. However, if you do not act timely, you will likely receive a Seizure Notice from CBP indicating your property has been seized and every hope you had of completing this transaction smoothly quickly fizzles away. When a package needs to be shipped or transported within the United States, it should be carried out either through the U.S. This is because of a trade embargo imposed on Cuba by the U.S. This will expedite the correct communication with CBP and increase the likelihood of your product not being seized. There have been cases involved with shipping a package through a third-party carrier where unwarranted searches have been conducted. Instead, they are going to send you a message to contact them. If such calls are received, people shouldmake a note of the number and any otherpertinent details about the call, and report the incident to the authorities for investigation. Additionally, any advice found here IS NOT legal advice. Call as early as possible at 888-571-5590 as there are deadlines to meet when dealing with this legal process. 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 package has been seized under your name. A law enforcement officer or police can accomplish this if they have reasonable suspicion that the package is linked to a potential criminal activity.The primary motive behind seizing packages during shipment is to prevent any potential criminal or illegal activity within the country. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Asset forfeiture is confiscation of a persons property and is considered a form of criminal justice that is typically applied to the alleged proceeds of a crime. Before going to meet with them, make sure you have your representative from Asset Forfeiture Attorney with, as you never want to meet or speak with a police officer or investigator alone for their interrogation. Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives.Although all major shipping carriers, like FedEx, UPS, USPS has specific federal and state regulations that must be adhered to for shipping firearms, such packages are considered dangerous goods and sometimes seized to ensure a proper check. It is a wise move to have an experienced defense attorney by your side so that you dont speak anything incriminating and later used against you by law enforcement. 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. The process has become deeply flawed and is allowing both state and federal agencies to make seizures motivated by profit rather than crime-fighting. What happens when your parcel is seized before it arrives at your home? The official looking scam emails claiming to be . So, a USPS packagecanbe seized, but its actually harder to do than with a private carrier. What's the most creative scam call you've received? If your package is seized, thenUSPS will automatically update the shipping statusto seized by law enforcement.. romanov fortune in swiss banks. 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. Firstly, you or anyone who is filing a claim must have an actual interest in the seized package, which means the claimant cannot make a claim on behalf of another person. They asked for my name, I gave them a fake name, and they hung up when I asked what it was about. You have no control over what another person sends you. We are committed to helping our clients avoid an unjust prosecution at the federal or state level! Residents are reporting 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. U.S. FedEx does not require a warrant to search a package for drugs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. So if you want to learn all about why seized packages happen, then this article is for you. You will be taken care of in the utmost professional manner. The tricky thing about suspicion is that the authorities really have all of the say here. ;)) 1. The seizure notice or seizure letter will inform you feds have your package in hand and will further advise you on your rights and methods of challenge. They have reason to believe the package contains illegally obtained profits or items, They think the package is evidence of an offense enclosed, They have reason to believe the package contains items considered contraband or that have been processed unlawfully, They believe the contents of the package contains property used in criminal activity. I felt I had someone very strongly going to bat for me. Fortunately, a friend of mine referred me to Jacek Lentz. I got the same call today. 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. Residents report the calls include a pre-recorded message stating, "A box of drugs and money being shipped has your (resident's) name on it and it has been intercepted." Contacting the agency about such a shipment could result in an arrest or investigation as it is illegal to ship drugs through either private or federal carriers. In the case of police seizing your package before it arrives at your home, they are not trying to be your friend. Finally its 2021 fillers turn!!! An official website of the United States government. Because there is so much marijuana being mailed out of Colorado that the federal government is unlikely to bring a charge against you. He had receipts showing he had used his credit card to pay for the shipping, not cash. Reports No reports Add Your Report Whether the contents are banned or improperly labeled, there are a lot of ways a package will be seized at customs. When the DEA seized a significant amount of money from my house, I didn't know what to do. And yes I'm a nonresident alien here. In the end, I got the best case scenario--I received all my funds back which I definitely did not expect. If the K-9 alerts the law enforcement or police officers by sensing the smell of the suspicious contents inside, the police will put it aside and inspect it manually. Because it is a federal government agency, it is required to follow federal guidelines, which includes the federal government employees working there must have probable cause to search a package for drugs. Especially not specifying what my name is and whatnot. If you believe that U.S. Customs & Border Protection has no legal right to seize your shipping items or should not have been seized, you may challenge a seizure through an administration petition with the Customs, within 30 days of receiving the seizure notice. Instead, they're impersonating US Customs and Border Protection, and they claim to have intercepted . Ill break it down by major carriers, but even then, the reason for seizure will matter a lot. In yet another case, your package can be seized even though there is nothing illegal or harmful in the box. Controlled Substances like Weed, Cocaine, or Prescription Drugs. But, because there are a lot of possibilities, the way you find out a package was seized wont always be the same. The first is that regulations require them to seize the package. Date Blocked February 1, 2021 Lentz Law Firm, Copyright 2022 Asset Forfeiture Attorney - All Rights Reserved, Abuse of Civil Forfeiture and Its Dire Consequences, Asset Forfeiture Frequently Asked Questions, Asset Forfeiture Litigation and Trial (Federal Law), Civil Asset Forfeiture and Hiring the Right Attorney, What Can the Government Seize in Asset Forfeiture. Registered office: 47 Hill Road, Pinner, Middlesex. A Short History of Civil Forfeiture in California, Civil Forfeiture: The Impartial Pursuit of Justice and a Threat to Private Property, Criminal Asset Forfeiture Attorney vs. Civil Asset Forfeiture Attorney, Defending Criminal Asset Forfeitures in the United States, Seized Shipping Packages (FedEx, UPS, USPS). Police officers and other law enforcement agencies regularly seize currency or money sent through shipping packages. If the dog alerts that something suspicious is in the package, then a warrant would be issued to open it. HA5 1LB, We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Thank you, thank you,thank you. This process is used for many terrorist activities, and drug-related crimes but can also include other criminal and civil offenses. Whether you are the importer or the exporter of goods that have been seized, our team of attorneys is well-versed to prepare solid defenses and provide successful representation in matters related to the seizure of shipping packages. Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by customer e.g. I said I just got this call about a package addressed to me that has been seized at the border. 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. Seizure refers to the act of physically taking possession of an item that has been shipped rather than giving control of the package to the owner, or person it was being sent to. When the DEA got a package of marijuana I'd sent through FedEx, the tracking said my package had been confiscated by a gov't agency. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. how to solve clock skew problem . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. available there is little you can do to stop thembut new technology [is] coming soon propose[d] some high-tech strategies to finally stop automated sales calls. For any other queries or concerns about the seized package, you should approach the FP&F office with the seizure number at the specific U.S. port of entry, where the package was seized. Residents report the calls include a pre-recorded message stating, A box of drugs and money being shipped has your (residents) name on it and it has been intercepted. The resident is instructed to press #1 to speak with a CBP officer or agent. How Will You Know If Your Package Is Seized? Fraudsters are sending out virus infected emails that claim a package has been seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom. Being a federal government agency, it must obey federal guidelines. If you have a phone, you probably get robocallsbut relief may soon be Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Depending on the nature of the seizure, you might have a long legal battle ahead of you. Click Share This Page button to display social media links. Whether your case reaches a settlement or proceeds to trial may depend on the collected evidence and your decisions as a defendant. A search warrant can be issued if the investigators state there is probable cause of suspicion, however. Your attorney from Asset Forfeiture Attorney will look into different aspects of the claim being made against your shipping package and build a strong defense on your behalf. 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. Mr. Hamer was able to refute all this evidence. DULUTH, Minn A new type of telephone scam is targeting Duluth residents in an attempt to gain banking information from unsuspecting residents. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer that seized the property should have forwarded the case to the appropriate supervisor for approval within 24 hours. 1. Official websites use .gov An arrest warrant had been issued in your name. Please. In the end, I got the best case scenario--I received all my funds back which I definitely did not expect. Call as early as possible at 888-571-5590 as there are deadlines to meet when dealing with this legal process. It is not marked as damaged (although the contents can be damaged by the seizure process). What is the Difference Between Asset Seizure and Asset Forfeiture? But,Cuban cigars are illegal, and you are not allowed to ship them within the borders of the U.S. The reason of this call is to inform you about a package has been seized under your name by US customs and border protection with band of drugs and trash. In such cases, importers of banned or illegal goods may be arrested and imprisoned from being involved in shipping such items. Email. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. UPS can "intercept" a package that they feel is suspicious. Law enforcement and police officers regularly seize money and other currency sent through shipment packages. But, seizure can happen outside of customs too. The court will then decide to either release your seized items or reject your petition and not release your package. may have solved one of the perpetual annoyances of living in the telephone age. After Optimum again corrected the problem, I never switched back to "robo". ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. If you had had a package seized by a government agency before it even arrived at your home, you need Asset Forfeiture Attorney. Postal Service has its own special squad of postal inspectors and processes for checking packages. A Short History of Civil Forfeiture in California, Civil Forfeiture: The Impartial Pursuit of Justice and a Threat to Private Property, Criminal Asset Forfeiture Attorney vs. Civil Asset Forfeiture Attorney, Defending Criminal Asset Forfeitures in the United States, Seized Shipping Packages (FedEx, UPS, USPS). The female Black jaguars are often considered different from normal jaguars, but they are the same species. The form, CBP 6059B, is a warning to inform travelers arriving in the U.S. that importing merchandise into the United States that can infringe intellectual property rights will subject travelers to criminal or civil penalties and can pose serious risks to health and safety. From a 615 Tennessee number. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is receiving reports from residents concerned about unsolicited calls from scammers posing as U.S. Border Patrol agents and CBP officers. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Possession and recreational use of marijuana is legal in many states in the U.S., but it is still federally illegal. Throughout the process, he would touch base frequently, always be available for my questions and keep me on task with information he needed to do his job. Law Enforcement has a lot of say in how it all goes, and UPS is going to follow instructions. The number of frustrating robocalls is exploding, but there are more options than These calls are telephone scams/voice phishing attempts. If something is labeled incorrectly, it might get seized. Generally, law enforcement officers are trained to work with police K-9 dogs to detect prohibited or restricted contents at private third-party shipping facilities to identify suspicious packages containing drugs or explosives. I just got this exact call today and I almost fell for it, I told them my name and how many bank accounts I have but then realized it was a scam, I hope I don't say to much, I got this exact call today too! 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. This means that you may lose the goods permanently or that you may have to pay a penalty to get them back .The CBSA keeps a record of infractions. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. December 13, 2021 Juan Webb Canada According to the government website if you do not declare, or falsely declare, goods, the CBSA can seize them. Items most likely to be seized include: Alcohol Cigarettes and other tobacco products Vehicles (for personal use and business car stock) Offensive weapons where there is no licence, and self-defence items such as pepper spray Endangered species of animal or plant, or species that are likely to be diseased Meat or dairy products from outside the EU When the money did not arrive at his friends the next day, Mr. Hamer contacted FedEx to inquire about his shipment only to find out his package had been seized in a legal process known as civil asset forfeiture. As a private carrier, FedEx is not nearly as heavily regulated or restricted as USPS. This safeguard protects such shipments from being opened if there is not a search warrant in place. Cigars are legal in the United States, and you can legally ship them. Its all over the place, and the most common case is that someone unwittingly shipped items that arent allowed in a different country for any of the reasons above. 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 . Thank you. Typical Messages voicemail Was to inform you about a package has been seized under your name by u.s. Customs and Border Protection with Contraband of drugs in cash. Especially not specifying what my name is and whatnot. I'm not an immigrant, so maybe it wasn't as targeted as it was lucky in your case. No, the specific meaning of this term is that law enforcement has taken custody of the package. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Block this robocall and over 6,220,474 more! Lentz Law Firm, Copyright 2022 Asset Forfeiture Attorney - All Rights Reserved, Abuse of Civil Forfeiture and Its Dire Consequences, Asset Forfeiture Frequently Asked Questions, Asset Forfeiture Litigation and Trial (Federal Law), Civil Asset Forfeiture and Hiring the Right Attorney, What Can the Government Seize in Asset Forfeiture. You are going to need an attorney who is able to defend your rights in the courts and get your property returned. Ill get into the specifics in a bit, but the idea is that law enforcement has the power to take packages. Asset Forfeiture Attorney is a highly rated asset seizure and forfeiture defense law firm that serves clients in the state of California and nationwide. I just received a call from the number 573-361-7637, and it was a robocall that said something along the lines of "This is a call from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. This doesnt just apply to customs, either. The notice should also contain the legal basis for which your shipment was seized. A groundbreaking solution to the problemI'm positive it's going to work. The Supreme Court has declared youve eliminated your reasonable expectation of privacy by using a third-party carrier. The small boxes marked priority mail are the right size to mail cocaine or marijuana. So the moment you receive this call, press one to speak with the CBP officer. Your attorney can successfully discredit K-9s alert (sniff!) Also, U.S. It is vitally important to choose a lawyer who knows the forfeiture laws inside and out and is well-connected. The best practice to avoid this seizure situation is to make sure you are compliant with all relevant regulations and laws regarding the importing of goods into the United States. Contact Asset Forfeiture Attorney law firm today at 888-571-5590 to schedule a complimentary consultation and case evaluation. Often times a package disappearing IS your drugs disappearing, but a small amount of marijuana is unlikely to lead to criminal charges being brought against you. Your dedicated attorney will investigate different aspects of the claim to build a strong defense on your part. These packages are, however, considered dangerous goods and will often be seized to ensure a proper check. They will want to file the case, seize the imported or exported goods, and file asset forfeiture for their gain. You will be taken care of in the utmost professional manner. Even a pair of shoes could be seized in this manner. Private companies cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies in cracking down illegal trafficking of controlled substances via mail. I very highly recommend him! Why would law enforcement want to take your box? There have been instances where suspicion about the package contents have caused immediate, unwarranted search of a shipping package. Yup, Just received a call right now. Because of that, things work differently. (4 Carriers). Two weeks after the money was seized, and after Mr. Hamers attorney had written a letter of explanation for the funds, the police asked the court to forfeit the money to their department. AHHHHHH!!!! The lack of information is what suggests the package has been seized. Disclaimer: This website is designed for general information only. DHL wont automatically update your tracking information to tell you that the package has been seized. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. Whatever the message is, this rule stays the same: If you get an unexpected text message about a package, don't click on any links. What Can The Government Seize in Asset Forfeiture? 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. He explained the process to me and I understood that his vast experience and relationships gave me a higher likelihood of receiving my funds back. The United States Customs and Border Protection agency is responsible for keeping the country safe against illegal importation of prohibited items. Twitter. Is there a hero among us who can rise up and build something to foil the dreaded "Seized" means it contained something illegal and you (or anyone else) is not going to get it back. The authorities have to have reason to believe that the package contains something harmful. You need to ship out! It is not marked as damaged (although the contents can be damaged by the seizure process). If you believe your shipping package was unlawfully seized or you want to file a lawsuit for getting seized packages back, contact us at 888-571-5590 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation without further delay.