Someone is going to have to explain how the post office is involved here. I wasn’t aware that the post office had such power.
Postal inspectors are federally sworn law enforcement officers that can *gasp* even carry guns.
(Taken from link above):
1. What are Postal Inspectors? Postal Inspectors are federal law enforcement agents responsible for enforcing more than 200 federal statutes involving crimes against the United States Postal Service, the U.S. Mail and its customers.
2. What are the responsibilities of the Postal Inspection Service? The Postal Inspection Service is responsible for protecting postal employees and the mails; enforcing postal laws; ensuring plant and personnel security; conducting various internal audits within the Postal Service; and conducting criminal investigations and presenting evidence to U.S. Attorneys and other prosecutors on these investigations.
3. What authority do Postal Inspectors have under the law? As sworn federal law enforcement agents, Postal Inspectors have the power to serve warrants and subpoenas issued under the authority of the United States; make arrests without warrants for postal-related offenses committed in their presence; make arrests without warrants for postal-related felonies cognizable under the laws of the United States, if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person arrested has committed or is committing such a felony; carry firearms, and make seizures of property as provided by law.
4. Can Postal Inspectors open mail if they feel it may contain something illegal? First-Class letters and parcels are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and, as such, cannot be opened without a search warrant. If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.
5. Why do Postal Inspectors frequently conduct joint investigations with other agencies? Overlapping jurisdiction often requires collaboration with other federal, state and local authorities. Postal Inspectors have developed close working relationships with other agencies that facilitate such cooperation.