Postal Letter

How does the postal service know what is inside packages, which may be illegal?

Do they use metal detection or x-ray or what? Like how do they know whats in the package withour invading our constitutional right of privacy. Has anyone sent illegal things, like guns or alcohol through the mail, and did they get to the receiver? People that have worked at the various postal services are encouraged to answer and please state whether or not you have worked there in your answer. I am talking mainly about the United States, but peoples experience in other countries can answer too.

Public Comments

1. They have screening devices that are used to detect things
2. Postal workers regularly open packages to see if there is anything worth stealing. If you've got something illegal in there, chances are they will find it.
3. what are you planning on sending?
4. Large mail centers at least X-Ray everything that comes in. I'm sure there are other ways they identify "Bad Mail" as well. Several close relatives work in post offices.
5. sorry pal they should not tell you anything
6. The post office uses a couple of methods to check packages they handle. They use x-ray, metal detection, chemical sniffers, trained dogs, etc. depending upon their local budget and their known problems in the past. They have the right to open any mail they suspect to be a problem even if no alarms went off. You cannot sent mail to a person who's name is grandma or uncle, etc. You must use a valid name and address. Otherwise it will not be sent.
7. Germany is using Detection and Xray for in and out country
8. They have a sophisticated scanning system that even the CIA and NSA envy.
9. When all the specialized equipment doesn't satisfy their curosity. THEY OPEN THE PACKAGE.