Postal workers to answer? Does non-machinable first class EVER go through a machine?

Question

I paid extra to mail an envelope "non machinable first class." It was a regular envelope, and inside it were two plastic citrus peelers (about the size of a pencil) wrapped in plastic and sealed in the envelope. I reinforced the envelope glue with a piece of packing tape. The person I sent it to received an empty envelope. There was a hole in the side of the envelope just below the tape; she said it looked as though it had been torn into. If I sent it non-machinable first class, what are the odds that it would have just torn open like that on its own if it were sorted entirely by hand? Doesn't it sound like this was done deliberately?

Answer 1

It seems clear that you think the loss was deliberate.  Trust your instincts and have the PS check it out.