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"US Customs Service

22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 15

Sterling, VA 20166





Dear Mr. XXXXXX:



This is your official notification that on April 28, 2003, Inspectors of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection seized 14.7 grams of Alprazolam found in a parcel addressed to you at the Dulles International Mail Facitlity. The items have an estimated appraised value of $6.00. The substances were being imported in violation of Title 19, United States Code (USC), section 1497 "Penalties for Failure to Decalre," Title 21 USC, section 953, "Importation of Controlled Substances," Title 19 USC, section 1595(a) "Merchandise Introduced Contrary to Law," 18 United States Code, section 545 "Smuggling" and Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, part 1312, "Importation and Exportation of Controlled Substances."



This notice also serves as an official notification that administrative forfeiture proceedings shall be instituted against the seized merchandise. Please be advised that the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection will advertise the substances by posting a "Notice of seizure and Intent to Forfeit" at the Port of Washingtond, D.C. The first noticed will be published on or about Monday, June 02, 2003.



Under provisions of Title 19, USC, section 1618, you have the right to petition for administrative relief from forfeiture of the seized drugs. Your petition must include a copy of the approved DEA form 236 you filed prior to importation of your shipment. Please be aware that the submussion of a prescription will not grant release of these drugs. You must file your petition with this office within 30 days from the date of this letter, or your merchandise will be forfeited to the U.S. Government and destroyed in accordance with the law. If you fail to respond to this notice within the 30-day period, the controlled substances will be forfeited to the United States Government and the case will be considered close.



The enclosed notice of Seizure and Information for Clamaints explains your options for remission of the forfeiture. Ifyou choose to petition for relief from forfeiture, you must complete and submit the enclosed Election of Proceedings form along with your petition. This submission will defer the judicial or administrativve proceedings until completion of the administrative process.



To advoid any future violations, your doctor or pharmacist must comply with the Drug Enforcemnt Administration requirement. All controlled substances imported should be registered abd the appropriaete import declaration, DEA form 236, is filed with DE not less than 15 days before importation. Ordinary citizens are not permitted to import scheduled drugs. However, if you think you may be eligibke please request and file all applications with the DEA, International Drug unit, Washington, D.C. 20537.



All petitions should be filed in duplicate and forwared to Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Port Case Numbers, Fines, Penalties, and Fofeitures Office, P.O. Box 17423, Washington, D.C. 20041. If you have any questions contact xxx at (703) 318 - 5900 ext. xxx



Sincerly,

Name Removed

Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer

Port of Washington, D.C"

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