Amazon.com AMZN is reportedly working closely with Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, to uncover the truth behind what the Feds suspect is a global narcotics organization shipping methamphetamine under the guise of decorative stones.
What Happened: The investigation was revealed in a search warrant for a package located at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in San Diego, which was labeled "ornamental stones." Federal agents suspect the box contains meth, reported Forbes.
According to investigators, the tech giant and HSI have unearthed at least five vendor accounts using Amazon's international shipping services to ship narcotics across the world.
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On Nov. 8, "Blue," a police sniffer dog, inspected a package from one of the suspect accounts. The suspect said the box contained ornamental stones for the potting of succulent plants, but Blue detected an illegal substance.
Any names or more details about the organization behind the shipments are yet to be discovered.
Amazon did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Why It's Important: In the past, Amazon customers were surprised after finding illegal substances in their packages, the report stated.
A California customer in 2020 received opioids, including oxycodone and morphine, in her Amazon package.
In 2021, Indian police summoned Amazon execs in an investigation where the site was allegedly used for smuggling 1,000 kilograms of weed disguised as dry stevia leaves — a natural food sweetener.
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