Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agent (CBP BPA) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Border Patrol Practice Questions and Study Guide

Signs of tampering and mismatched cargo can be considered strong indicators of smuggling activities. Tampering suggests that an attempt has been made to conceal, alter, or disguise the true nature of the cargo, which is a common tactic used by smugglers to evade detection. Mismatched cargo, where the contents of the shipment don't align with what is documented, raises red flags about potential illicit activity. These issues align with the profile of smuggling efforts, as smugglers often go to great lengths to misrepresent what they are transporting to avoid law enforcement scrutiny.

In contrast, consistent packaging across shipments could indicate a regular, legal shipping operation rather than illicit activity. Standard shipping labels and clear documentation generally suggest compliance with shipping regulations, further underscoring the legitimacy of the cargo rather than signaling potential smuggling. Therefore, it is important to focus on signs of tampering and mismatched details as key indicators of smuggling endeavors.