The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), or the Postal Inspectors, is the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service. It supports and protects the U.S. Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing the laws that defend the nation's mail system from illegal or dangerous use. Its jurisdiction covers any "crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system or postal employees." With roots going back to the late 18th century, the USPIS is the oldest continuously operating federal law enforcement agency. There are roughly 200 federal crimes that can be committed which involve the mail. Therefore, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's activities are markedly broad and ever-changing. In 2021, Postal Inspectors made 5,141 arrests leading to more than 3,700 convictions, mostly involving mail theft, mail fraud and prohibited narcotic mailings. The growth in illegal narcotics has resulted in 19,000 arrests and the seizure of $18 million in drug proceeds since 2010. In 2022 alone, Postal Inspectors performed over 5,300 seizures that resulted in more than 17,000 pounds of illicit drugs being taken off the streets. As of 2021, there are about 1,300 Postal Inspectors, who are authorized to carry weapons, make arrests, execute federal search warrants, and serve subpoenas. History The Postal Inspection Service has the oldest origins of any federal law enforcement agency in the United States. It traces its roots back to 1772 when colonial Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin first appointed a "surveyor" to regulate and audit the mail. Thus, the Service's origins—in part—predate the Declaration of Independence, and therefore the United States itself. As Franklin was appointed Postmaster General under the Second Continental Congress, his system continued. One of Franklin's first acts as Postmaster General was to appoint William Goddard as the first Postal Surveyor of the newly founded American postal system, in charge of inspecting the integrity and security of postal routes, regulating post offices, and auditing their accounts. A letter from Franklin to Goddard, dated August 7, 1775, authorized a total of $170.00 for Goddard to carry out these duties, and so August 7 is recognized as the "birthday" of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. In 1801, the title of "Surveyor" was changed to "Special Agent". In 1830, the special agents were organized into the Office of Instructions and Mail Depredations. The Postal Inspection Service was the first federal law enforcement agency to use the