Investigations

On March 8, 2017, Andrius Kairaitis was charged by information in the U.S. District Court of Tampa, Florida, on criminal charges related to the illegal transportation of motor vehicle airbags.

 

The information alleges that on or about April 20, 2015, Kairaitis knowingly deposited a motor vehicle airbag for mail and delivery at a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) drop-off facility. When he purchased postage, Kairaitis was provided a warning stating that by purchasing postage from USPS, he was agreeing not to mail an item that was potentially hazardous. The airbag was intercepted by investigators.

 

A motor vehicle airbag system consists of multiple parts, including an engineered airbag inflator that, when triggered, causes an instantaneous chemical reaction that produces a sufficient amount of nitrogen gas to rapidly and fully inflate the airbag. Because of the airbag inflator, airbags are classified as a hazardous material by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and considered non-mailable by USPS.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.