U.S. Postal Inspection Service Conducts Intensive Operations in New York Targeting Mail Thieves and Criminal Enterprises

New York, NY – The United States Postal Inspection Service recently concluded sweeping SURGE investigative actions in New York City as part of Project Safe Delivery, a joint initiative between the United States Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service to combat violent crimes against Postal Service employees and mail theft. Working with the New York Police Department (NYPD), postal inspectors arrested 21 suspects, completed 28 surveillance operations of known criminal enterprises, and conducted more than 30 interviews of “money mules” and illicit financial account holders.

This Postal Inspection Service effort was supported by personnel from across the country, including postal inspectors, physical security specialists, homeland security coordinators, and intelligence analysts. Personnel from the Postal Inspection Service’s National Forensic Laboratory were also deployed to process and recover forensic evidence.

As part of this SURGE operation, Postal Inspection Service personnel also participated in more than 100 prevention activities, including giving presentations at local police department roll calls, conducting security and property accountability reviews at postal facilities across New York, and providing hundreds of area postal employees with safety and security training.

“These efforts highlight our dedication to keep Postal Service employees safe and the mailstream secure,” said Ed Gallashaw, Acting Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Let it also serve as a warning that if you seek to harm a letter carrier or compromise the U.S. Mail, postal inspectors, along with our partners at the NYPD, will bring you to justice.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “When a person’s mail is stolen it can have wide-reaching repercussions that impact every aspect of their lives. My office is dedicted to targeting identity thieves and those who steal hard-earned paychecks and benefits. Thanks to the SURGE operation by our partners in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, more than a dozen individuals have been apprehended and cited for mail-related crimes over the last two weeks and my office will hold them accountable. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant in protecting their identity – shred your unwanted mail, check your credit reports and call the police or the Postal Inspection Service if you suspect mail theft or fraud.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez shared, “Preventing mail theft and keeping our postal carriers safe are essential, so I commend the Postal Inspection Service for this concerted effort. My office will continue to cooperate with them and all other partners to ensure that those who steal mail or conduct other illicit activities are held accountable.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service appreciates the collaboration of all the law enforcement partners who helped make this phase of the initiative a success — first and foremost, the New York City Police Department, as well as the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Queens District Attorney’s Office, Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.