Target-ID to detect narcotics smuggled in
Recent media reports indicate Sri Lanka is being used as a transit
route by drug syndicates to smuggle narcotics through the country.
According to the reports Sri Lanka's Customs Narcotics Controls
Division continue to seize sizable quantities of drugs and despite
detections, the country continues to be a transit point for smugglers.
Vigilance has been increased at seaports with narcotics arriving in
bulk via containers and hidden among various other trading goods.
While passengers who travel through airports, those considered
suspicious are subject to rigid checks, it is impossible to individually
examine over 24,000 containers which arrive at the Colombo port on a
monthly basis.
To help law enforcement officials fight the entry of contraband,
among the superior technology available is the new portable handheld
identifier that provides a field analysis of a wide range of illicit
drugs and controlled substances.
Smiths Detection which offers advanced solutions in detecting
explosives, chemical and biological agents, radiological and nuclear
threats, narcotics, weapons and contraband has introduced 'Target-ID' a
Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy system for illicit drug
identification.
This hand-held unit identifies narcotics, synthetic designer drugs,
cutting agents, and common chemicals. Providing forensic laboratory
quality results, the Target-ID also allows users to define their own
library matches to help identify trafficking rings and localised
varieties of narcotics while providing an intuitive user interface.
With a growing need to allocate additional funds towards combatting
narcotics smuggling , the Smiths Detection's 'Sabre 5000' is a hand-held
trace detector for explosives, chemical agents, toxic industrial
chemicals and narcotics.
Safeguarding aviation security poses significant challenges. To
detect possible threats and substances, sophisticated technologies are
vital. Smiths Detection's portable trace explosives and narcotics
detector known as IONSCAN 600 provides airports and users, a simple and
small, lightweight, portable and cost-effective method of screening for
a wide range of explosives and drugs.
The Ionscan Sentinel II detects explosives and narcotics through
head-to-toe screening, is fully automated through a touch screen colour
display.
While smugglers are engaged in using sophisticated and ingenious
concealment methods Sri Lankan officials too should use advanced tools
to prevent drug syndicates proliferating in the island. |