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Not Every Density Meter Detects Contraband the Same

Not Every Density Meter Detects Contraband the Same


Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company (CSECO) came up with the world’s first density meter used for narcotics detection, the Buster K910B Density Meter, aka Buster. This was designed and developed by CSECO’s founder Patrick J. Harris, with direct input from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents back in the 1980s.

Since the Buster emerged and became popular among law enforcement agents, rivals began to come out with their own version of density meters and contraband detecting tools. Other tools that utilize technologies like millimeter wave, microwave, radio wave, and ultraviolet wave may scan through just one or two materials, and will be rendered useless when attempting to scan through other surfaces than those two materials.

As a result, these contraband detectors don’t have sufficient technology to determine if someone was smuggling any item inside a vehicle (or behind the walls, or inside furniture, etc.). It would take longer to conduct a search using these inadequately-equipped tools, not to mention the issue of having to rip apart seats, trunks, or doors, only to find nothing inside. Not only do agents have to deal with the mad driver, but the agency has to pay for the damage they’ve done.

There are other density meters which try to imitate the Buster, or even try to exceed its superior performance. However, some competing density meters are too heavy (some weigh as much as 3 pounds!), therefore they become too cumbersome to use. Or they’re slow or inaccurate in picking up the differences in density, which will indicate the presence of hidden contraband. This means contraband slips detection instead of being seized.

Other density meters cannot reach the less accessible areas such as the top and the underside of the vehicle, or they don’t have the ability to detect the dangerous radiation leaks. The Buster handles both of these instances like a pro with the extension stick and Rad-Aware® technology.

The Buster stands out when it comes to detecting hidden drugs and other hidden ill-gotten goods. You know why? It’s because it emits a low-intensity gamma radiation and scintillation detector. This type of innovative technology enables the user to scan through a variety of materials such as wood, concrete, several types of metal, paper or carton, stone, bricks, even soil and liquid. That’s how versatile the Buster is. And it can detect several types of contraband including narcotics, illegal or prescribed drugs, currency, jewelry, alcohol, weapons and explosives.

The same type of technology that the Buster has will also enable the agents to do a quick but thorough search. It takes four readings per second and is fool-proof in detecting drastic differences in density. The Buster’s speed enables the agents to move the Buster along the scanned surface quickly while maintaining the same level of accuracy. The very quickness will enable the agents to quickly inspect one vehicle after another during stops.

The Buster is small, relatively lightweight (a little over a kilogram or 2.5 pounds) and compact, which makes it ideal to be used with just one hand. It can also be used as the Buster-on-a-Stick, a telescoping device which the Buster can be attached. When used together, agents will be able to scan hard-to-reach areas such as the uppermost parts of higher vehicles such as trucks or the underside of a car.

And what’s more, the Buster also has the potential to save lives of other people through its RAD-Aware® technology. This will enable first responders to recognize a possible dirty-bomb detonation or other radiation leaks. Once the Buster positively detects the presence of radiation, this will help the agents to establish safety zones for their colleagues as well as civilians.

CSECO has made sure that the Buster is as easy and safe to use as possible. How many contraband detectors are considered safe for everyday inspections? Other contraband detectors may be available, but they don’t work as well as the Buster.

Not all density meters are the same when detecting contraband. When you determine the differences between the Buster K910B Density Meter and its competitors, you easily recognize its utter sophistication in technology and safety. Not to mention that the Buster is the density meter used by more law enforcement agencies, including the CBP, than any other density meter available.

Tony Harris, President and CEO, and Pat Campbell, founder, of CSECO explain about the Buster density meter and other contraband detectors.

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