Stealing narcotics from the Post Office or VA not a federal offence?

Factual Questions
1

A coworker takes oxycodone/Oxycontin for back pain. One bottle of pills was sent to him by the VA, and he never received it. The delivery receipt had a forged signature on it. He told the VA, do not mail the pills again. So they mailed the pills again. They show as having been scanned in at the Post Office, but now they’re missing without a trace. He called the FBI’s Seattle office to make a report, but they told him that stealing narcotics from the Post Office or the VA is not a federal offence.

Huh? :confused:

I don’t understand how stealing a federally-controlled substance from a federal agency is not a federal offence. What am I missing? :confused:

2

It is definitely a federal crime. 18 USC 1708 for starters.

However, the primary investigatory body for postal crime is the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

3

Thanks, Tired and Cranky. I’ve sent my coworker the links.

4

I wonder why anyone had to sign at all? Admittedly this was a few years ago but I got controlled substances mailed by the VA and I would see the mailman scan if before he stuck it in the mailbox, but I never had to sign for anything. My info might be out of date though.

5

I disclaim all knowledge or advice, but I would think it would also potentially be a violation of 21 USC 843(a)(3).

6

Someone knows those pills are being mailed as I doubt the package says what’s inside.

Did your friend mention they are mailed to anyone?

7

People in the Post Office are probably quite familiar with who sends medications, what type, etc. I don’t know how they’d know that a specific package contained narcotics, but at least they’d have a very good idea of what packages contain medication.