Marijuana found in FedEx package bound for Warner Robins

A Macon FedEx employee turned over a package to authorities containing $54,000 worth of marijuana.

A Macon FedEx employee turned over a package to authorities on July 3 containing $54,000 worth of marijuana, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

According to the report, which was released Monday, a deputy was dispatched to the shipping facility, 704 Hawthorne St. for "a suspicious package" sent from Colorado Springs to a man in Warner Robins.

The deputy said the employee told him he became suspicious based on the way the box was packaged and the place of origin.

The employee said he decided to open the package and found the marijuana, according to the report.

The deputy took the package in and weighed. It was about 4.5 pounds, according to the report.

The package was sent to the crime lab.

The Sheriff's office says they're still investigating the case and have not brought any criminal charges against anyone.

FedEx's policy on its website says since they have the right to open any package they deem suspicious.

"We may, at our sole discretion, open and inspect any shipment without notice. Governmental authorities may also open and inspect any shipment at any time," says their policy.

They do not have to present probable cause. UPS has the same policy.

Meanwhile, first class letters or parcels sent through the United States Postal Service are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.

If you ship through the post office, special law enforcement agents called Postal Service Investigators must have probable cause and present a warrant before opening your first class package or letter. Employees cannot open the mail themselves.

However, if it's not first class, those postal service investigators do not need a warrant to open it.