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D.V.I.: Mail from the mainland is subject to a Customs search

By John Wesley Hall, Jr.

U.S. Mail from Georgia to the Virgin Islands by statute goes through Customs even though mail to Puerto Rico does not. The customs search here was valid. United States v. Larsen, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54597 (D. V.I. June 1, 2010): The Court notes Smith's concern. Indeed, a letter mailed by a United States citizen from Puerto Rico to Georgia, through the United States Postal Service, absent some extenuating circumstance, is not subject to warrantless search because the relevant case law holds that it is traveling within the customs territory of the United States. However, the same letter, if mailed by the same person from the United States Virgin Islands to Georgia, through the United States Postal Service, may be subject to a warrantless search...continue to full post

Full post as published by Fourth Amendment on June 06, 2010 (boomark / email).