The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s RANGE task force seized a total of over USD$17,000 in cash and two firearms from the suspects' homes

A pair of postal workers in Dayton, Ohio stands accused of opening packages they suspected of containing illicit drugs, and subsequently taking home said drugs with the intent to sell them.

The U.S. Postal Service started investigating distribution center employees Tyler O. Oder and Desmen A. Pauley in December 2018 after being tipped off that the men were suspected of stealing priority mail packages when several were found stashed under the workroom’s floor.

Inspectors also received reports that numerous priority mail packages originating from California were found “ripped” apart on the floor of the workroom. Following surveillance from a special agent, Oder and Pauley were witnessed exchanging unspecified items following an overnight shift.

Pauley admitted to authorities that he and Oder had been opening packages and stealing any narcotics found within for well over a year, keeping illicit drugs such as cannabis and methamphetamines.

Oder declined to name Pauley, claiming that he had worked alone when questioned by investigators.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office’s RANGE task force seized a total of over USD$17,000 in cash and two firearms from Oder’s and Pauley’s respective homes, per court records.

A search of Oder’s home netted a total of 15 pounds of suspected cannabis flower and $USD 15,000 in cash. A search of Pauley’s home netted a total of two firearms, 12 pounds of suspected cannabis flower, and one pound of suspected methamphetamines, according to police reports.

Older told authorities that he had been stealing drugs “since the holidays” before asking for a lawyer, whereas Pauley admitted to opening parcels he suspected of containing drugs, adding that he had a considerable stash in his home.

While medical cannabis is legal in Ohio, recreational use remains verboten—although possession of less than 100 grams is decriminalized.