Postal Inspectors Stephaine Harden and Ron Corley are only two of the 1,400 inspectors devoted to protecting the mail’s most valuable and sensitive shipments. Rare gems and gold are only some of the valuables that make their way through the U.S. mail on any given day. This photograph, taken in Houston, Texas in 2013, shows the pair poised and ready for action.

Photo by Postal Inspector Allen McHenry