It might interest many of you to know that FedEx has it's own law enforcement officers. Since, 2004 the FedEx Memphis TN hub has a billet of 10 sworn, academy trained police officers who carry sidearms, do not wear uniforms and have full police powers including arrest powers. These LE officers are also cross-deputized as federal LE agents. The Memphis hub is an international hub that handles over 90 percent of coast to coast shipments (UPS WorldPort is based in nearby Louisville for the same reason: stable, predictable weather conditions).

Lets say a package containing a litter of six boa constrictors is being shipped from Joe's Boa Barn to Joe Smith at whatever address. This is an uncertified package containing none of the package labelling that a certified FedEx live animal package contains. ANY FedEx manager or LE agent, including federal customs officials may open this package if they reasonably suspect (reasonable suspicion) that an illegal act is about to take place. A non-certified FedEx live animal package without proper outside labelling is a violation of the Lacey Act. A relatively minor one but still, a violation.

If a LE officer sees "Joes Boa Barn" as the return address on an uncertified live animal shipment and knows what boa constrictors are, or if instead he notices air holes punched into the same package, that's reasonable suspicion to open that package.

Just an FYI to those wondering why it's necessary to obtain FedEx certification or, if you don't want to go that route, to use ShipYourReptiles when dealing with FedEx live animal shipments.

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