NARCOTICS SCANNER MARKET ANALYSIS

The global narcotics scanner market size was valued at USD 2,232.3 million in 2022 and is anticipated to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.38% from 2023 to 2030. The rising number of drug users worldwide and increased production of synthetic narcotics is expected to drive the market growth. Furthermore, enacted stringent government regulations regarding illegal narcotics distribution are also estimated to drive the market in Europe and North America.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market: Regional Insights

Among regions, North America is anticipated to gain major share in the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to increasing focus of governments in the region on investment in stopping cross border drug trafficking. Moreover, several vendors in the region are investing in advancement of their products, which is further increasing the application scope of narcotics scanner around the world. As per the U.S. Sentencing Commission data, 16,829 drug cases reported to the Commission involved the manufacture, sale, or transportation of a drug, although 439 involved a conviction for drug possession. Drug possession cases continued a five-year downward trend, decreasing 22.0 percent from fiscal year 2019, while the number of drug trafficking cases reversed a slight upward trend from 2019—falling 17.3 percent. Thus, the demand for narcotics scanner systems is increasing in the region, which is expected to boost growth of the market across this region.

Europe is anticipated to show robust growth in the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period. This is due to rise in incidence of drug seizures in the region. For instance, in May 2021, police forces and Border Force made a total of 223,106 drug seizures in England and Wales in year ending March 2021, a 21% increase compared with the previous year. Moreover, the government authorities of Germany seized nearly 23 ton of cocaine in 2021 in Europe, Thus, the global narcotics scanner market is expected to flourish in the coming years across Europe.

Figure 1. Global Narcotics Scanner Market Share (%), By Region

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Global Narcotics Scanner Market Drivers:

Rise in illegal drug trafficking leading to growing demand for narcotics scanners to boost the market pace

The drug trafficking instances of substances, like methcathinone, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy are increasing around the world. This in turn is boosting the demand for narcotics scanners across several regions around the globe. The demand is increasing, as these devices help in reducing and stopping the illegal immigration of people carrying drugs and to stop drug trade. These scanning device assist in detecting raw drugs such as rocks, powders, tablets, crystals, and pastes, in a single swipe from any surface. If the identification of these substances is delayed, it could cause a huge loss. Thus, it is important to be proactive in searching the suspect and taking quick actions in these situations. Hence, the aforementioned factors are expected to drive growth of the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period.

Increasing technological advancements in scanners to augment the market growth

Technological developments such as the development of the dual-sensor technologies, and improving detection quality of narcotics scanners are the major factors fueling growth of the market. Several law enforcement agencies are focusing on implementation of enhanced narcotics analysis technologies designed for improving the safety and welfare of the communities they serve and protect. The quality and sensitivity of the detectors is an important factor. Thus, market vendors are focusing on developing such products by increasing their application in the areas of chemicals, radiation, explosives, biological substance, vehicle inspection, and cargo. Hence, these factors are expected to augment growth of the global narcotic scanner market over the forecast period.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market Opportunities:

Growing profusion of courier and delivery firms around the world is expected to create growth opportunities in the global narcotics scanner market during the forecast period. Drugs can be camouflaged as everyday products such as talcum powder and sweets, and can be moved through the city without getting detected through courier and delivery services. Thus, authorities are creating solutions such as narcotics scanners that allow them to distinguish easily between the narcotic substances from other products. This in turn is expected to offer multiple growth opportunities in the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period.

Rise in cases of drug seizure is anticipated to provider multiple business opportunities in the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period. This in turn is leading innovations of novel narcotics scanner and qualitative equipment by market players. In July 2022, the Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection department of United State had seized 20,000 pounds of drug bags having estimated value of USD 3.6 million on Seattle Port. This bags contains, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and fentanyl which had transported in cargo containers.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market Trends:

Substantial investments in narcotics scanner by market players is a major trend

Key players in the market are increasingly investing in the industry, due to which the launch of novel and enhanced products has increased, which allows the user to efficiently and smoothly detect the traces of narcotics. For Instance, In 2021, Vehant – a manufacturer of Under Vehicle Scanning Systems (UVSS) in India, launched AI-based Cargo Scanner KritiScan 150180D. It is an advanced Dual energy X-ray based cargo scanner using artificial intelligence (AI) based Algorithms.

Development and deployment of robots is a growing trend in the market

The technological advancements are leading to development of novel handheld scanners; however, this rapid change in technology, the development and deployment of robots has become a growing trend in the market. For instance, in November 2019, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) of Sri Lanka deployed two robots for detecting narcotics and explosives at the Bandaranayake International Airport (BIA) with the use of advanced scanning array system. This trend is thus expected to fuel growth of the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market Restraints:

High cost of narcotics scanners to obstruct the market growth

Several factors are considered while selecting a specific drug detection system. In many cases, the purchase cost of these systems is a limiting factor, specifically when law enforcement in middle- and low-income countries is the purchasing organization. The cost of these systems depending on the choses system ranges from a few hundred dollars to US$ 1 million and above.  Thus, high cost of narcotics scanner is a major factor expected to restrain growth of the global narcotics scanner market over the forecast period.

Availability of substitutes such as drones to impede the market growth

Drones are high in demand across several end-use industries across the world. The increasing adoption of drones is also leading to rise in illegal activities related to them. In recent times, drones are being used for narcotics drug trafficking in the U.S.-Mexico border and India among other developed and developing countries. The growing use of drones to violate drug control status thus, stands as a major challenge for the market vendors. Thus, use of drones as a substitute drug trafficking method is expected to hamper growth of the global narcotics scanner market during the forecast period.    

Figure 2. Global Narcotics Scanner Market (%), By Segment Type

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Global Narcotics Scanner Market Segmentation:

The global narcotics scanner market report is segmented into Product Type, Technology, and End-User

Based on Product Type, the market is segmented into Table-top, Handheld, and Walkthrough. Out of which, Table Top is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing innovations of new solutions and rising detection of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin among other substances. This in turn is creating strong demand for table top narcotic scanner systems in various checkpoints in stations, airports, and border outposts, among other high profile entry points.

Handheld segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the widespread use of handheld narcotic scanners by Law Enforcement agencies to detect contraband. Due to increasing problems related to drugs around the world the demand for handheld narcotic scanners is increasing. For instance, In June 2020, The US-based company, Viken Detection created a handheld and under-vehicle x-ray system that scans vehicles for hidden cash, drugs, and weapons.

Based on Technology, the market is segmented into Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), Contraband Detection Equipment, Visual Inspection System, and Infrared Spectroscopy. Out of which, Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the growing adoption of IMS instruments in the market due to its extensive use in screening of passengers and items at airports, and in identifying various commercial, military, and homemade common illegal narcotics.

Visual Inspection System segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the benefits of using this systems. Visual inspection devices have a multi-directional high-resolution color LCD display, which provides better resolution compared to a fiberscope. The demand for this system is increasing with application to help inspectors in detection of presence of explosives and hidden drugs in high-risk areas, such as fuel tanks. This in turn is likely to drive growth of the segment in the coming future.

Based on End User, the market is segmented into Airport, Public Transportation, Defense and Military, Law Enforcement, and Other End Users. Out of which, Airports and Seaports is expected to dominate the global market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the maximum applications of narcotics scanners at airports. It is used for airport security purposes. Thus, increasing aircraft fleet and growing passenger traffic in aircraft is driving the demand for narcotics scanners at airports. This in turn is expected to drive growth of the market during the forecast period.

Public Transportation segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increasing rate of crime and terrorism at domestic and international transportation venues leading to concern regarding transportation security in all the rail and transportation providers and stakeholders. Thus, demand for narcotics scanners is increasing in public transportation sector.  This is anticipated to boost growth of the market in the coming years.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market: Key Developments

In March 2021, Smiths Detection, a leading threat detection and security screening technology company, has been selected as a supplier of HCVMe High-Energy Mobile X-ray systems for the screening of cargo by Hellenic Police.

In September 2020, OSI Systems, Inc. has been awarded a contract for approximately $31 million from an international customer to provide multiple units of its Eagle® M60 mobile high energy X-ray cargo and vehicle inspection system and follow on maintenance and support.

Global Narcotics Scanner Market: Key Companies Insights

The global narcotics scanner market is highly competitive. This is attributed to continuous launch of new technologies due to ongoing R &D and efforts by value chain participants. Moreover, key players are adopting various business growth strategies in order to expand their presence on regional as well as global basis.

Some of the key players in the global narcotics scanner market are ThermoFisher Scientific Inc., OSI Systems Inc., Chemring Group PLC, Bruker Corporation, Viken Detection, FLIR Systems Inc., Astrophysics Inc., Aventura Technologies Inc., Teknicom Solutions Ltd., L3 Security and Detection Systems Inc., Nuctech Company Limited, and Smiths Detection Inc.

*Definition:

A narcotics scanner is a security equipment used by defence departments, law enforcement agencies, and Special Forces to scan surfaces and objects for the presence of contraband drugs and other hazardous substances. These devices are primarily used to prevent illegal drug trade and increase the level of safety in airports, railway stations, seaports, and other transit areas.