After observing a suspected contraband situation, which sequence of steps is appropriate?

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Handling suspected contraband requires actions that protect safety, preserve a solid record, and ensure any investigative steps are legally permissible. The best sequence starts with documenting what you observed as soon as possible to create an accurate, contemporaneous record. Next, notifying your supervisor provides oversight and authorization for the next steps. Then preserving evidence is essential to maintain the chain of custody and prevent contamination or loss. Finally, following the proper search authority ensures that any search or seizure is conducted within the correct legal framework.

Other options miss one or more of these critical elements: delaying documentation can introduce inaccuracies; acting without supervisor approval or failing to preserve evidence can undermine the investigation and violate procedures; attempting to seize items without supervision or discussing with the traveler can compromise safety and legitimacy of the action.