Drugs cannot escape the NarcoReader

The University of Antwerp is coordinating a European project to increase efficiency in drug detection With the NarcoReader, the University of Antwerp is collaborating with its international partners to develop a high-tech device that is intended to make the detection of drugs quite a bit more efficient. Following highly successful laboratory tests, the device will now be tested in practice in several European countries. Police agencies and customs authorities are investing substantial time and resources in the detection of illegal substances. Reports of drugs found in the Port of Antwerp are a nearly daily occurrence, and the issue was at play at the Tomorrowland dance festival last summer. Although smugglers, dealers and users are apprehended regularly, the fight against drugs (and the trade in drugs) is obviously far from over. False positives In order to be successful, it is of the utmost importance for the detection and identification of illegal drugs to be conducted in an efficient manner. "At present, on-site police and customs officials are still working with simple colour tests, based on chemical reactions", explains the coordinator.