In the intense and detail-oriented world ofContraband Police, every vehicle that crosses your checkpoint is a potential threat or opportunity. Players must rely on observation, logic, and sharp instincts to catch criminals smuggling illegal goods across the border. Among the many hiding spots used by clever smugglers, one of the most overlooked yet critical areas to inspect is under the dashboard. Understanding what to look for and how to thoroughly search this location can be the difference between catching contraband or letting it slip through unnoticed.
Understanding Contraband Locations
Why the Dashboard Matters
InContraband Police, smugglers get increasingly clever as the game progresses. They use every inch of the vehicle to stash illegal items from tire compartments and door panels to fuel tanks and headliners. The dashboard, often regarded as just part of the car’s aesthetics or control panel, is frequently used to hide small but high-value contraband such as money, drugs, or documents. Smugglers know it’s harder to inspect, making it one of the most reliable hiding spots.
Gameplay Mechanics for Searching
To check under the dashboard, players must interact with the interior of the vehicle using the appropriate tool or key action. In most cases, you’ll need to use a flashlight for better visibility, as the area is usually dark. Once you suspect something is off like a loose panel, unusual wiring, or strange noises you can use tools like a knife or crowbar to investigate further. Timing and attention to detail are essential, especially when dealing with tougher difficulty levels where mistakes carry higher penalties.
Signs of Contraband Under the Dashboard
Visual Clues
Smugglers may try to blend hidden compartments seamlessly into the dashboard, but there are always clues for a trained eye. Some of the common signs to look out for include:
- Panels that appear misaligned or slightly ajar
- Exposed or tampered screws or bolts
- Odd bulges under the steering wheel or glove compartment
- Discoloration or mismatched materials on dashboard surfaces
If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good indication that you should dig deeper sometimes quite literally.
Sound and Feel
Another helpful trick is to use audio and touch. Tap along the underside of the dashboard. Areas with hidden compartments often produce a different, hollow sound compared to solid parts. Similarly, running your hands along the edges may reveal looseness or odd textures indicating tampering. These subtle cues play a big role in tracking down smuggled goods without relying solely on visual checks.
Best Practices for Dashboard Inspections
Step-by-Step Inspection
Here is a basic step-by-step approach to inspecting under the dashboard inContraband Police:
- Step 1: Start by turning on your flashlight to illuminate the area properly.
- Step 2: Look underneath the steering wheel and behind the pedal area.
- Step 3: Examine the glove compartment closely, including behind and under it.
- Step 4: Use the tap-and-listen method to identify unusual hollows.
- Step 5: Use the crowbar or knife if you see anything suspicious or need to pry open a compartment.
Always make sure to check from both the driver’s and passenger’s side, as some compartments span across the dashboard’s full width.
Don’t Skip Repeat Vehicles
Sometimes, players get too comfortable or rely on memory when inspecting repeat visitors. However,Contraband Policeis designed to keep players on their toes. Smugglers may use the same vehicle more than once, but hide items in different places each time. If you skip inspecting the dashboard just because it was clean last time, you might miss a new stash on the next run.
Challenges and Risks
Time Pressure
Each inspection is timed, and being thorough with your checks can eat into your efficiency. The dashboard area is particularly time-consuming, especially if you’re unsure whether something is actually hidden. Balancing speed and accuracy is a skill that improves as you gain experience in the game. You must decide when a dashboard looks suspicious enough to warrant an extended search, versus when to move on to the next vehicle.
False Alarms
Occasionally, you may damage a vehicle or trigger penalties for over-inspection if you misjudge and pry open areas that turn out to be clean. While checking under the dashboard is vital, it should still be based on reasonable suspicion. Watch for red flags on documents, behaviors from the driver, or inconsistencies that match dashboard tampering before diving in.
Advanced Tips for Veteran Officers
Combining Clues
Smart players combine multiple clues to determine when and where to search. For example, if a driver seems nervous, the vehicle’s documents show inconsistencies, and there’s visible dashboard wear, that’s a strong triple indicator to investigate thoroughly. Use all available tools: passenger interviews, background checks, and inspection history, along with your visual investigation.
Upgrade Your Tools
As you progress in the game, better tools become available that make inspection more efficient. Upgraded flashlights offer brighter light and wider coverage, while advanced prying tools let you open compartments faster. Investing in these tools pays off significantly, especially when time is short and you need to quickly determine whether the dashboard is hiding anything illegal.
Common Contraband Found Under Dashboards
Types of Illegal Items
Though the contents vary depending on the mission or difficulty, here are some of the most commonly smuggled items found under dashboards:
- Packets of drugs (usually wrapped in dark material)
- Stacks of counterfeit currency
- Forged documents or permits
- Jewelry or rare stones
These items are usually hidden in compact but cleverly sealed compartments, so spotting them requires keen eyes and a lot of patience.
InContraband Police, every part of a vehicle can serve as a hiding place, but the dashboard is one of the most deceptively tricky areas to inspect. Learning how to approach it with precision, confidence, and a sharp eye will greatly improve your contraband detection rate. Don’t fall into routine or overlook it during inspections. As smugglers get smarter, so must you and mastering dashboard inspections is a key step toward becoming a top border officer in this high-stakes simulation.