Laval, Canada – Smiths Detection today announced its advanced mobile X-ray inspection solution, HCV Mobile, helped Chilean police uncover a 1.5t shipment of marijuana with a street value of some $4.6 million. In addition to the seizure of a vehicle carrying the drugs, 11 key suspects of a major international drug trafficking ring were also arrested.
Eduardo Parodi, Smiths Detection’s director of sales and marketing for Latin America and the Caribbean, said: “We are delighted that our advanced mobile X-Ray solutions are helping the Chilean government in its constant fight against narco-trafficking. Our cargo-screening systems continue to provide the crucial real-world capabilities needed in this struggle.”
The successful drug swoop by Chilean Policia de Investigaciones occurred at the Paso Los Libertadores border crossing in the Andes mountains between Argentina and Chile. The marijuana, suspected to have originated in Paraguay, was being driven through Argentina on its way to southern Chile.
With more than 400 mobile x-ray units deployed over 50 countries, Smiths Detection’s HCVMobile systems are designed to scan full-sized trucks and containers without opening them. The high-quality images generated enable security personnel to detect structural and cargo discrepancies by identifying commercial contraband, explosives and narcotics.