Glossary/Searches, Seizure & Property/ContrabandContrabandItems unlawful to possess under the law that applies. What qualifies changes with the jurisdiction and, increasingly, with the year.Related termsParaphernaliaPlain viewPossessionMore in Searches, Seizure & PropertyConsent searchSearch incident to arrestProbable-cause searchVehicle exception / automobile exceptionInventory searchPat-down / friskK-9 alertCanine sniffImpoundTow inventoryBrowse the glossaryWatch the videos