These days, there are newer drugs hitting the streets including opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil. These synthetic drugs are considered too powerful – even more potent than heroin and cocaine. Exposure to them can lead to injuries or even death. In recent years, overdoses (mostly accidental) to fentanyl have led to hundreds and thousands of deaths in many US cities. This is why law enforcement needs drug interdiction equipment to locate illegal drugs.
Due to its high potency, fentanyl is strictly regulated in many countries. In the US, fentanyl is classified as a “Schedule II” substance, which means that it is considered illegal to use fentanyl without a prescription, or illegal to sell it without proper licenses. Still, it has not stopped people from using it as a recreational drug or selling or distributing it illicitly.
In some cases, even scientists have been warned not to handle samples of these drugs without an expert agent ready to administer counteracting drugs such as naloxone, in case accidental exposure to fentanyl does occur.
As for the interdiction officers assigned to fentanyl drug raids, they may be required to wear protective gear when handling such substances. And of course, they need to have the best possible drug interdiction equipment to help them locate these newer drugs or any other illegal contraband.
Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company (CSECO) has been in the contraband detection equipment business for the past 30 years. The Buster density meter was the first product developed by the company, with the help of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents who tested it on the field to ensure its effectiveness in locating hidden contraband.
Over the years since the Buster was first introduced, it has been hailed as the “gold standard” of contraband detection equipment by the CBP agents and other law enforcement officers across the country. According to Sgt. Tony Viator from the Narcotics Task Force: “The Buster is dependable, easy to use, and damn-near indestructible.”
Why is the Buster so effective and efficient? It’s because of the advanced technology that’s put into it – the low-intensity gamma radiation emitter and a scintillation detector. This very technology of the Buster has made inspections quicker (inspections can be done within five to ten minutes, depending on the size of the object or area being inspected), efficient, and bringing more concrete results.
Other tools that use technology like millimeter wave, radio-wave, ultraviolet wave and microwave lead to slow inspections and have limited detecting capabilities. With the Buster, however, it can identify and locate concealed items that range from narcotics to cash to weapons and explosives. In addition, the Buster can even send you a warning about the presence of dangerous levels of radioactive leaks with its RAD-Aware feature.
The Buster’s newest version, the Buster K910G, features lead-free internal and external components. In addition, it has now 7.5 curie Barium 133 source —- which means Buster’s radioactive source is now significantly less compared to that of most rival density meters (by 25%). It makes the Buster safer to use than ever before, as well as more environmentally-friendly.
The Buster has been credited with seizing thousands of dollars’ worth of narcotics, illegal drugs and drugs that are otherwise prescribed and used wholly for medicinal purposes (which are otherwise abused as recreational/psychoactive drugs).
Newer drugs that have come to the US shores mean newer challenges that the drug interdiction officers face. Fortunately, there is efficient, durable and reliable drug interdiction equipment that will help them identify, locate, and seize both old and new drugs, and get them off the streets. CSECO, counting on its three decades of experience and expertise, is always up to new challenges in its continuous fight against drug trafficking and smuggling.