High tech drug analysers for Customs

Customs minister Nicky Wagner is shown the operation of the FirstDefender by an unknown customs officer. Photo: Supplied.

Hand held laser drug detectors will soon be in the hands of Customs officers at Tauranga as the detectors are rolled out nationally.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says 14 of the new FirstDefenders are being deployed at 12 locations include Opua, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, Queenstown and Bluff.

'FirstDefenders use a laser to analyse a substance, often without the need to open the packaging. It matches this against a database of over 11,000 illicit and legal substances to provide an accurate result within seconds,” says Nicky.

'These devices will be a fundamental piece of equipment for frontline officers, making drug identification quicker, safer and more efficient.

'They are portable and easy to use, making it ideal for district ports and can be used for Customs' search warrants or taken on board vessels that are searched.

'Its database can be upgraded to include new and emerging drugs, which is significant as synthetic drugs continue to evolve in chemical properties. Customs will also be sharing this latest capability with partner agencies to help with broader drug enforcement work,” says Nicky.

The Minister visited a training session in Auckland today to see the devices in action. Similar training will be held in Wellington and Christchurch this week, with the devices being deployed to 12 regions.

'A single device was purchased in 2014 with funding from the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act to help identify illicit drugs within seconds at the International Mail Centre. Following its success, close to $977,000 was invested in 2015 to extend this technology to all Customs regions,” says Nicky.

'Customs' hard work in seizing drugs and catching criminals has literally paid off. We are using assets taken from criminals to purchase tools that will help seize more drugs and catch more criminals.”

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.