MAIL SECURITY 

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the primary federal law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Postal Inspectors protect customers and investigate criminals who fraudulently misuse the U.S. Mail to commit crime. Through its security and enforcement functions, the Postal Inspection Service provides assurance to postal customers their mail will be delivered safely and securely. 

Postal Inspectors enforce more than 200 federal laws through investigations of crimes that affect the postal system, including laws related to the desertion, obstruction, delay or destruction of mail. These are some of the laws enforced by Postal Inspectors under Title 18 of the U.S. Code: 

SECTION	OFFENSE	PENALTY	
1700	Desertion of mail	Violators are fined or imprisoned not more than one year, or both	
1701	Obstruction of mail generally	Violators are fined or imprisoned not more than six months, or both	
1702	Obstruction of correspondence	Violators are fined or imprisoned not more than five years, or both	
1703	Delay or destruction of mail	Violators are fined or imprisoned not more than one year, or both	
1709	Theft or receipt of stolen mail generally	Violators are fined or imprisoned not more than five years, or both	

USPS Office of Inspector General 

The USPS Office of Inspector General is mandated to investigate fraud, waste and abuse for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain the integrity of postal processes and personnel. When they relate to criminal violations by postal employees and contractors, OIG Special Agents enforce sections 1700, 1701, 1702 and 1703 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. In addition, OIG Special Agents investigate violations of section 1709, Theft of Mail Matter by Officers or Employees, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000. 

Efficiency, effectiveness and integrity underpin America’s postal system, which delivers the nation’s mail faster and more securely than any other country in the world. And it’s all included in the price of postage.