From the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG):

When a Part-Time Flexible (PTF) Carrier in Pennsylvania kept calling his office on his day off to determine if four Express Mail packages had arrived from Arizona, the manager became suspicious. Aware that such packages had been part of marijuana trafficking networks from Arizona, the manager notified the Office of Inspector General (OIG). After identifying the packages as containing marijuana – 57 pounds of it – OIG Special Agents tailed the PTF Carrier as he picked up the parcels and delivered them to a third party. The PTF and his associate were arrested. End of story, right? Not so fast . . .

In a separate incident, an OIG investigative analyst reviewing Voyager fuel credit card transactions identified suspicious charges at several gas stations involving two cards assigned to the same Post Office as the PTF Carrier. The vehicle used in this suspicious activity was identified through a review of the gas stations’ video surveillance tapes. OIG Agents staked-out the station and when the vehicle showed up, they asked the vehicle operator who provided him with Voyager cards and PINs to use the cards.

The source? The same PTF Carrier. The vehicle operator admitted he used the cards to buy gas for himself and to sell to others at a cash discount, sharing the cash with the PTF carrier. They charged about $21,000 worth of gas on the cards.

A federal grand jury indicted the PTF Carrier for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Conspiracy; a superseding indictment charged the PTF Carrier with Theft of Government Property and also charged the associate as a co-conspirator in the case. The PTF Carrier lost his job, was found guilty and was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of probation. His associate received a six-month sentence, three years’ probation and both were ordered to jointly make restitution to the Postal Service of $17,061. So, 4 + 57 + 2 also equals $17,061. Go figure.