262,000 suspicious mail items in 2021.   6,300 threats  —  are you prepared?

Download our Annual Mail Security report.

Mail Threat Alert - September 2021

Dangerous Mail Report Download

Mail Security Analysis

Mail Security Alert - September.September’s mail threat totals trended downward with fewer total overall incidents reported. Although the overall number fell, some interesting events occurred in new categories. 

Smuggling rose this month, much of it tied to drugs, but with everything from falsified COVID vaccination cards to millions of dollars worth of gems, mail continues to be a significant method of delivery for criminal activities.

September proved to be an interesting month with mailed threats.  White powder and threatening letters continue on-trend in total numbers, however, the targets have shifted to state and local leadership and away from national-level targets. 

This puts smaller cities and governments with fewer response capabilities at a higher risk for exposure and stress on infrastructure.  

Smuggling increased this month in the United States for both drugs and other illicit material. Much of what was caught was tied to good screening methodologies and solid practices. 

Drugs increased in the news inside of jails and prisons highlighting the continual efforts to stop drug-laden legal mail. Many states have begun to copy all of the inmate mail except for legal mail which, in most cases, cannot be searched without the prisoner present.  

United States Mail Security Incidents

  • Chicago Officials Seizes Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Cards – Chicago, Illinois

  • Suspicious Letter With White Powder Causes Scare at Safety Center – Cheyenne, Wyoming

  • Idaho Lawmakers Receive Anonymous Threatening Letter Over new Wolf Laws – Lewiston, Idaho

  • Inmate Smuggled Drugs Through Mail Into DelCo Jail – Brookhaven, Pennsylvania

  • Suspicious package found to contain a brick – Wausau, Wisconsin

  • Inmate and friend arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into jail – Covington, Louisiana 

  • Suspicious Package Arrives in Palmer from Florida – Palmer, Alaska

  • Camden arrest follows alleged mail shipment of crystal methamphetamine – Camden, New Jersey

  • Suspicious package tip leads to two pounds of meth in Elkton – Elkton, Delaware

  • Colorado Woman Caught Sending Drugs To Oklahoma County Jail Inmate – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Suspicious package at post office was loaf of bread – Pacifica, California

International Mail Security Incidents

  • White Powder Letter Found at New Zealand Parliament- Canberra, New Zealand

  • Bomb Scare at Nairobi Mall – Nairobi, Kenya

  • Jail bosses launch probe after letter containing ecstasy sent to prisoner from PARLIAMENT – Coldingley, United Kingdom

  • Precious Stones Smuggling – Karachi, Pakistan

  • Scented Letter Prompts Suspicious Package Investigation – Thornbury, Canada

  • Northern Territory man charged with attempting to import hallucinogens from Mexico – Darwin, Australia

Download your copy here