AFOQT Reading Comprehension Practice Test 2025

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you.

Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants.

• According to the passage, inhalants affect a person’s heart by

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you.

Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants.

• Use of inhalants is a serious problem because of which of the following?

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you.

Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants.

• Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you.

Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants.

• Based on the passage, which of the following is NOT a way that inhalants can hurt your body?

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous.

Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you.

Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body.

Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack.

Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants.

• Based on the passage, why might young people think that inhalants are not harmful?

Alcohol is readily available from home or at stores. But the fact that it is easily available is no reason to think it is safe.

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol also depresses your central nervous system and affects your brain. The results may include loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, and even “blackouts” (episodes of forgetting what you did while drinking). Other common results are loss of self-control, low- ered inhibitions, and poor judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can even kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Alcohol can also cause fatal accidents; in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with med- ications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example, alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. Alcohol can also make you gain weight and give you bad breath.

You may have a friend who has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s tough to tell. There are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol: prob- lems remembering things he or she recently said or did, getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun, having frequent hangovers, feeling run- down or depressed or even suicidal, having “blackouts,” having problems at school, or getting in trouble with the law. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help [http://www.freevibe. com/Drug_Facts/#top (govern- ment site)].

• According to the passage, what percent of traffic deaths of youths in 1998 were attributed to alcohol use?

Alcohol is readily available from home or at stores. But the fact that it is easily available is no reason to think it is safe.

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol also depresses your central nervous system and affects your brain. The results may include loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, and even “blackouts” (episodes of forgetting what you did while drinking). Other common results are loss of self-control, low- ered inhibitions, and poor judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can even kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Alcohol can also cause fatal accidents; in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with med- ications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example, alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. Alcohol can also make you gain weight and give you bad breath.

You may have a friend who has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s tough to tell. There are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol: prob- lems remembering things he or she recently said or did, getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun, having frequent hangovers, feeling run- down or depressed or even suicidal, having “blackouts,” having problems at school, or getting in trouble with the law. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help [http://www.freevibe. com/Drug_Facts/#top (govern- ment site)].

• What is the main idea of this passage?

Alcohol is readily available from home or at stores. But the fact that it is easily available is no reason to think it is safe.

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol also depresses your central nervous system and affects your brain. The results may include loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, and even “blackouts” (episodes of forgetting what you did while drinking). Other common results are loss of self-control, low- ered inhibitions, and poor judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can even kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Alcohol can also cause fatal accidents; in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with med- ications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example, alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. Alcohol can also make you gain weight and give you bad breath.

You may have a friend who has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s tough to tell. There are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol: prob- lems remembering things he or she recently said or did, getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun, having frequent hangovers, feeling run- down or depressed or even suicidal, having “blackouts,” having problems at school, or getting in trouble with the law. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help [http://www.freevibe. com/Drug_Facts/#top (govern- ment site)].

• Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a danger of alcohol overuse?

Alcohol is readily available from home or at stores. But the fact that it is easily available is no reason to think it is safe.

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol also depresses your central nervous system and affects your brain. The results may include loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, and even “blackouts” (episodes of forgetting what you did while drinking). Other common results are loss of self-control, low- ered inhibitions, and poor judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can even kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Alcohol can also cause fatal accidents; in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with med- ications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example, alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. Alcohol can also make you gain weight and give you bad breath.

You may have a friend who has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s tough to tell. There are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol: prob- lems remembering things he or she recently said or did, getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun, having frequent hangovers, feeling run- down or depressed or even suicidal, having “blackouts,” having problems at school, or getting in trouble with the law. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help [http://www.freevibe. com/Drug_Facts/#top (govern- ment site)].

• According to the passage, which of the follow- ing can result from the effects of alcohol on your brain?

Alcohol is readily available from home or at stores. But the fact that it is easily available is no reason to think it is safe.

Alcohol can damage every organ in your body. It is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and can increase your risk for a variety of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. Alcohol also depresses your central nervous system and affects your brain. The results may include loss of coordination, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, and even “blackouts” (episodes of forgetting what you did while drinking). Other common results are loss of self-control, low- ered inhibitions, and poor judgment. Drinking can lead to risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. This may expose you to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases or cause unwanted pregnancy. Alcohol can even kill you. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can lead to coma or even death. Alcohol can also cause fatal accidents; in 1998, 35.8 percent of traffic deaths of 15- to 20-year-olds were alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with med- ications or illicit drugs is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death. For example, alcohol-medication interactions may be a factor in at least 25 percent of emergency room admissions. Alcohol can also make you gain weight and give you bad breath.

You may have a friend who has a drinking problem. Sometimes it’s tough to tell. There are signs you can look for. If your friend has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may have a problem with alcohol: prob- lems remembering things he or she recently said or did, getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, believing that alcohol is necessary to have fun, having frequent hangovers, feeling run- down or depressed or even suicidal, having “blackouts,” having problems at school, or getting in trouble with the law. Encourage your friend to stop or seek professional help [http://www.freevibe. com/Drug_Facts/#top (govern- ment site)].

• According to the passage, which of the following is a sign that a friend might be abusing alcohol?

The illicit trade in art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically in recent years, including pillaging archaeological sites and illegally exporting objects protected by international laws.

Back in 1987 in northern Peru, the ruins of the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being studied by archaeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan and got away with unbelievable treasures.

One of the most valuable artifacts stolen from the royal tomb was an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization. A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield their backsides.

Ten years later, in August 1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando Mendez were looking for a buyer for a rare Peruvian artifact—a gold backflap. Garcia contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him, the company was part of an FBI undercover operation targeting art theft, and he was referred to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an art broker. The undercover agent con- tacted Garcia, who described the item. Feeling sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price—a cool $1.6 million.

Garcia gave the “art broker” a few days to contemplate the offer before calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting. This meeting took place on September 5, 1997. Garcia, who didn’t have the backflap with him, said it was en route to New York from Peru and he had to make arrange- ments with his contact “Frank,” an employee of the Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made to contact the agent when the backflap was ready for delivery. So, while Garcia and Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were making their own arrangements: how the takedown would be executed when the appropriate time came. Nearly four weeks later, on October 2, Mendez called the agent to say that the backflap was in New York and they were ready to do business.

They arranged to meet on October 7. The FBI agents arrived first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags pulled up—it was Garcia, Mendez, and “Frank,” aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as the consul gen- eral of Panama and presented his business card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of the car. At that point, several FBI agents and detectives from a local police department surrounded the group and arrested them.

• Based on the passage, what is the meaning of the word pillage?

The illicit trade in art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically in recent years, including pillaging archaeological sites and illegally exporting objects protected by international laws.

Back in 1987 in northern Peru, the ruins of the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being studied by archaeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan and got away with unbelievable treasures.

One of the most valuable artifacts stolen from the royal tomb was an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization. A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield their backsides.

Ten years later, in August 1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando Mendez were looking for a buyer for a rare Peruvian artifact—a gold backflap. Garcia contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him, the company was part of an FBI undercover operation targeting art theft, and he was referred to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an art broker. The undercover agent con- tacted Garcia, who described the item. Feeling sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price—a cool $1.6 million.

Garcia gave the “art broker” a few days to contemplate the offer before calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting. This meeting took place on September 5, 1997. Garcia, who didn’t have the backflap with him, said it was en route to New York from Peru and he had to make arrange- ments with his contact “Frank,” an employee of the Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made to contact the agent when the backflap was ready for delivery. So, while Garcia and Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were making their own arrangements: how the takedown would be executed when the appropriate time came. Nearly four weeks later, on October 2, Mendez called the agent to say that the backflap was in New York and they were ready to do business.

They arranged to meet on October 7. The FBI agents arrived first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags pulled up—it was Garcia, Mendez, and “Frank,” aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as the consul gen- eral of Panama and presented his business card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of the car. At that point, several FBI agents and detectives from a local police department surrounded the group and arrested them.

• According to the passage, why was the back- flap so valuable?

The illicit trade in art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically in recent years, including pillaging archaeological sites and illegally exporting objects protected by international laws.

Back in 1987 in northern Peru, the ruins of the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being studied by archaeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan and got away with unbelievable treasures.

One of the most valuable artifacts stolen from the royal tomb was an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization. A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield their backsides.

Ten years later, in August 1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando Mendez were looking for a buyer for a rare Peruvian artifact—a gold backflap. Garcia contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him, the company was part of an FBI undercover operation targeting art theft, and he was referred to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an art broker. The undercover agent con- tacted Garcia, who described the item. Feeling sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price—a cool $1.6 million.

Garcia gave the “art broker” a few days to contemplate the offer before calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting. This meeting took place on September 5, 1997. Garcia, who didn’t have the backflap with him, said it was en route to New York from Peru and he had to make arrange- ments with his contact “Frank,” an employee of the Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made to contact the agent when the backflap was ready for delivery. So, while Garcia and Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were making their own arrangements: how the takedown would be executed when the appropriate time came. Nearly four weeks later, on October 2, Mendez called the agent to say that the backflap was in New York and they were ready to do business.

They arranged to meet on October 7. The FBI agents arrived first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags pulled up—it was Garcia, Mendez, and “Frank,” aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as the consul general of Panama and presented his business card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of the car. At that point, several FBI agents and detectives from a local police department surrounded the group and arrested them.

• Based on the passage, it can be assumed that

The illicit trade in art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically in recent years, including pillaging archaeological sites and illegally exporting objects protected by international laws.

Back in 1987 in northern Peru, the ruins of the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being studied by archaeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan and got away with unbelievable treasures.

One of the most valuable artifacts stolen from the royal tomb was an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization. A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield their backsides.

Ten years later, in August 1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando Mendez were looking for a buyer for a rare Peruvian artifact—a gold backflap. Garcia contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him, the company was part of an FBI undercover operation targeting art theft, and he was referred to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an art broker. The undercover agent con- tacted Garcia, who described the item. Feeling sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price—a cool $1.6 million.

Garcia gave the “art broker” a few days to contemplate the offer before calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting. This meeting took place on September 5, 1997. Garcia, who didn’t have the backflap with him, said it was en route to New York from Peru and he had to make arrange- ments with his contact “Frank,” an employee of the Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made to contact the agent when the backflap was ready for delivery. So, while Garcia and Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were making their own arrangements: how the takedown would be executed when the appropriate time came. Nearly four weeks later, on October 2, Mendez called the agent to say that the backflap was in New York and they were ready to do business.

They arranged to meet on October 7. The FBI agents arrived first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags pulled up—it was Garcia, Mendez, and “Frank,” aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as the consul general of Panama and presented his business card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of the car. At that point, several FBI agents and detectives from a local police department surrounded the group and arrested them.

• What was the purpose of the backflap?

The illicit trade in art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically in recent years, including pillaging archaeological sites and illegally exporting objects protected by international laws.

Back in 1987 in northern Peru, the ruins of the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being studied by archaeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan and got away with unbelievable treasures.

One of the most valuable artifacts stolen from the royal tomb was an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization. A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield their backsides.

Ten years later, in August 1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando Mendez were looking for a buyer for a rare Peruvian artifact—a gold backflap. Garcia contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him, the company was part of an FBI undercover operation targeting art theft, and he was referred to an undercover FBI agent who posed as an art broker. The undercover agent con- tacted Garcia, who described the item. Feeling sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price—a cool $1.6 million.

Garcia gave the “art broker” a few days to contemplate the offer before calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting. This meeting took place on September 5, 1997. Garcia, who didn’t have the backflap with him, said it was en route to New York from Peru and he had to make arrange- ments with his contact “Frank,” an employee of the Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made to contact the agent when the backflap was ready for delivery. So, while Garcia and Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were making their own arrangements: how the takedown would be executed when the appropriate time came. Nearly four weeks later, on October 2, Mendez called the agent to say that the backflap was in New York and they were ready to do business.

They arranged to meet on October 7. The FBI agents arrived first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags pulled up—it was Garcia, Mendez, and “Frank,” aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as the consul general of Panama and presented his business card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of the car. At that point, several FBI agents and detectives from a local police department surrounded the group and arrested them.

• Where did this story take place?