Narcotics Scanner Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Handheld/Portable Scanner, Fixed Scanner, and Walkthrough Scanner), By Technology (Contraband Detection Equipment, Infrared Spectroscopy, Ion Mobility Spectrum Technology, and Video Scope Inspection System), By End User (Airport, Sea Port, Railway Terminal, Law Enforcement, Defense & Military, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024 - 2032

The global narcotics scanner market size was valued at USD 6.87 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 7.21 billion in 2024 to USD 14.35 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.0% during the forecast period. North America dominated the narcotics scanner market with a market share of 40.17% in 2023.

A narcotics scanner is a programmed security device to detect contraband drugs and other hazardous substances. This device utilizes a mass spectrometer or AI-powered detection algorithms to detect narcotics and avoid trafficking or the entrance of prohibited materials into a sovereign state or country. Nowadays, the worldwide fight against illegal drugs and other hazardous materials has been embattled by various organizations, such as border and customs control agencies, airports, ports, courier services, and prison authorities. The growing cargo trade by air and sea has given a new lease of life worldwide to narcotics and weapon trafficking activities. This factor has led to an increase in the demand and adoption of these scanners to prevent illicit activities and enhance security.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant influence on the market for narcotics scanners. Due to restrictions on international trade and travel, drug smuggling activities have decreased, resulting in a reduced demand for narcotics scanners in 2020 compared to 2019. Furthermore, the decrease in drug demand due to decreased opium production, especially in Afghanistan, has further contributed to the decline. During the pandemic, the reduction in air passenger traffic has also decreased demand for new airport scanners. However, the increasing focus on improving public transportation security in order to prevent illegal acts is expected to drive the market's recovery during the forecast period.

Narcotics Scanner Market Trends

Technological Advancement in Narcotics Scanning System to Propel Market Potentiality

Illegal drug production and distribution have grown significantly in recent years. The increasing violations of drug control acts worldwide would drive the demand for advanced narcotics scanning systems and software with high accuracy and faster screening capabilities.

Key scanner manufacturers and research and development teams are focusing on developing portable, pocket-sized, mobile narcotics scanners that feature real-time data detection and user-friendly data analysis software. These key players are also focusing on adopting advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), dual sensor technology, image processing, and X-ray technologies, to enhance product performance.

• For instance, in September 2023, New Hampshire County Police received hand-held devices that is mobile drug scanners allowing it for on-site testing in the field or in the jail by scanning packages containing potential drugs without opening them to make a preliminary determination as to contents.

Narcotics Scanner Market Growth Factors

Rising Transnational Crimes across the World to Surge Demand for Narcotics Scanners

In recent years, the transnational crimes rate has highly increased in developed and developing countries. The international crimes covered several of them, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, counterfeiting, and weapons trafficking. Among these, counterfeiting and drug trafficking crimes account for large revenue generation. According to the Global Financial Integrity Organization, the transnational crimes business is valued at around USD 1.6 trillion to USD 2.2 trillion annually.

Moreover, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC’s) world drug report released in 2020, 269 million people worldwide had used drugs in 2018. The number of drug users has increased by 30% compared to 2009. As the number of drug users worldwide is increasing, the cultivation, trade, and consumption of opium, a synthetic drug, cannabis, heroin, and cocaine is also rising. This factor would lead to an increase in the demand for such scanners worldwide to prevent and reduce illicit drug flows.

Stringent Government Regulations to Control Illegal Drug Trade to Boost Market Growth

The constantly growing drug trafficking activities worldwide have increased the death count and the number of people who suffer from drug use disorder. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the Global Burden of Disease Study, the death reported due to the overdoses of opioids was 109,520 during 1990-2017. They have also estimated that the number of deaths will increase at a rapid pace in the upcoming years.

Moreover, around 35.6 million people worldwide suffer from illicit drug use disorder, as per the recent World Drug Report. The United Nations Office published this report on Drugs and Crime in 2020. Therefore, the government has imposed several rules and regulations to reduce the illegal drug trade, drug production and consumption, and death caused due to drug overdoses. In addition to this, the rising investment to control illegitimate drug activities is expected to support the market growth during the forecast period.

• In 2020, the European Commission adopted the EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 to prioritize drug trade action. The primary aim of the EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 is to improve and protect the well-being of the country and the individual, protect and promote public health, provide a high level of security and well-being for the general public, and increase health literacy.


• The Government of India enacted legislative policies related to illegal drug control, such as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.


• The Federal Government has requested a USD 35.1 billion budget for the national drug control for 2020. The primary aim of this budget is to reduce narcotics drug use and associated crimes in the U.S.

The improvement in the public transport security infrastructure backed by government investments, supportive market programs, and regulations would contribute to the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Substitutes Such as Drones and Robotics for Drug Trafficking is a Major Challenge for the Market

The demand for drones is on the rise across multiple end-use industries worldwide. The rising adoption of drones, in turn, increases the illegal activities associated with them. Nowadays, a drone is the trending method for narcotics drug trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border and India and other developing and developed countries. In December 2020, Punjab police arrested two people for using a drone for cross-border trafficking of weapons and narcotics. Therefore, the rising use of a drone for violating drug control status is a major challenge for key market players. This factor is expected to create a hindrance in the market growth.

Narcotics Scanner Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Analysis

Fixed Scanner Segment Dominated Market in 2023

Based on the product, the market is divided into handheld/portable scanners, fixed scanners, and walkthrough scanners.

The handheld/portable scanner segment is projected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. This growth is due to the rising demand for lightweight, user-friendly, and portable scanners from several end-users, such as law enforcement, the police force, malls, and customs departments. Handheld scanners are widely used at the checkpoint or during screening.

The fixed scanner segment held a significant narcotics scanner market share in 2023. This large share is attributed to the increased adoption of scanners for baggage, cargo, and vehicle screening applications. The continuously expanding logistics and transportation industry worldwide is expected to support the market growth during the forecast period.

The walkthrough scanner segment registered the second-highest share in the base years due to the increased international and domestic travellers globally. With the growing traveller count, the demand for walkthrough narcotics scanners is also increasing for passenger screening.

By Technology Analysis

Contraband Detection Equipment Segment to Grow at Faster Pace during Forecast Period

Based on technology, the market is classified into contraband detection equipment, infrared spectroscopy, ion mobility spectrum technology, and video scope inspection system.

The contraband technology segment is predicted to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to the surge in the demand for narcotics and contraband detection by the border, prison, law enforcement, and customs officers to control untheorized drug transportation. Contraband detection technology-based equipment offers the detection of drugs, drug traces, and explosives, and other hazardous material.

By End User Analysis

Growing Narcotics Drug Trade via Sea to Boost Demand for New Narcotics Scanner at Seaports

Based on the end-user, the market is divided into airport, seaport, railway terminal, law enforcement, defense & military, and others.

The airport end-user segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Airport authorities invested a significant amount in the regular maintenance and procurement of security systems. Therefore, the exponential growth in air passenger traffic and the development of new airports in emerging countries are anticipated to boost the adoption of narcotics scanners for airport security. In addition to this, the growing air cargo trade would also increase the demand for advanced scanner systems for quick inspection.

The seaport end-user segment is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR throughout the forecast period. The growing adoption of sea routes for drug smuggling due to stringent airport regulations is expected to increase the installation of new scanners to enhance seaport security. Smiths Detection Group Ltd., for instance, has designed a Gantry inspection system called HCVG X-ray system. This system utilizes a single scan to inspect a complete cargo-loaded vehicle for a threat, such as narcotics, contraband, weapons, and explosives. It is mainly designed to be used at maritime ports, border crossings, and airports.

Moreover, the demand for these scanners also increased to enhance security at railway terminals, government buildings, country, state, district border and checkpoints, law enforcement, sports club, malls, and public transportation, excluding airport, port, and railways.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global narcotics scanner market is segmented into regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the rest of the world.

North America stood at USD 2.76 billion in 2023 and is expected to dominate the market owing to the highest drug use in the region. Countries in North America, such as the U.S. and Mexico, have observed and reported the most increased illegal drug use activities. According to the UNODC's World Drug Report 2019, North America has been declared the topmost region with the highest use of opioids. Moreover, the U.S. reported 47,000 deaths in 2017 due to the overdose of an opioid. Therefore, to reduce deaths due to drug overdose, the adoption of these scanners has increased in North America.

Asia Pacific registered the second-highest share in the base year and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rising illicit drug production and trade in Asia countries, such as China, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and others would help the region to grow. In 2017, Asia Pacific was accounted for around 90% of the total illicit opium produced. Afghanistan is the largest opium producer in the world. In addition to this, China and India are witnessing major sea trade and the development of new airports due to increased air passengers. Thus, the demand of scanners is rising to prevent narcotics transportation and the distribution of narcotics and improve public & cargo transportation security at various ports.

Furthermore, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia are some of the countries with stringent penalties for drug smuggling, which would lead to an increase in the adoption of narcotics drug scanning systems to further reinforce homeland security.

The market in Europe is anticipated to register a significant share in the market. The enacted stringent government regulation regarding illegal narcotics drug distribution is set to drive the market growth in Europe. The growing drug use activities in the U.K. and Northern Ireland are expected to boost the demand for such scanners during the forecast period.

The rest of the world is expected to witness the second-highest CAGR during the projection period. The growth is attributed to the spurring demand for narcotics scanners to reduce drug-related crimes in South America and the Middle East & Africa. Countries in South America, such as Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela, are well known for the illegal distribution of cocaine through maritime routes. Thus, the demand for such scanners is increasing to strengthen seaport security.

List of Key Companies in Narcotics Scanner Market

Constant Product Innovation and Development Strategies Adopted by Smiths Detection Group Ltd. to Endure its Position

Smiths Detection Group Ltd. is a pioneer in developing advanced scanners for several end-users, such as airports, seaports, railway transportation, law enforcement, and military & defense. The constant investment in R&D activities, a large focus on product innovation, and long-term contracts with government and authorized bodies will support the company to withstand its market position.

The other key players involved in the market are focusing on adopting advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence to enhance the production of these scanners.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• OSI Systems Inc. (U.S.)


• Bruker Corporation (U.S.)


• FLIR Systems Inc. (U.S.)


• Aventura Technologies Inc. (U.S.)


• Leidos, Inc. (U.S.)


• Smiths Detection Inc. (U.K.)


• Thermofisher Scientific Inc.  (U.S.)


• Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (India)


• Autoclear, LLC (U.S.)


• Nuctech Company Limited (China)


• Astrophysics Inc. (U.S.)


• Viken Detection (U.S.)


• Chemring Group PLC (U.K.)


• Klipper Enterprises (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• November 2023 – Nigeria's Federal Executive Council approved the purchase of baggage scanners for five international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, and Kano. The contract has also been approved for the supply and installation of customized explosive and narcotic detection screening systems with remote and dual view.


• October 2023 - Teledyne FLIR Defense, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has announced the launch of the innovative Griffin G510x portable chemical detector. This detector is specifically engineered to analyze and identify explosives and narcotics, including fentanyl, during field operations. The new variant will allow first responders and law enforcement to identify street drugs confidently within five minutes.


• November 2023 – The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has awarded Vehant Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The firm is based in Noida and provides smart security and surveillance solutions to various industries, including airports. It will procure and install 44 dual-view X-ray machines of varying sizes at Mumbai airport. The orders will include the deployment of various models of advanced 6040 dual view X-ray baggage scanners, as well as the KritiScan® 100100 and 150180 dual view X-ray cargo scanners.


• November 2023 – OSI Systems, Inc. has announced that its Security division has been awarded a contract from an international airport for a sum of approximately USD 18 million to provide diverse checkpoint and hold baggage screening solutions. Among the systems available are the RTT® 110 (Real Time Tomography) explosive detection system for screening hold baggage, Metor® Walk-Through Metal Detector, and Itemiser® 5X explosive trace detection system for secondary screening of passengers. As a component of this award, the Company is also obligated to provide comprehensive multi-year maintenance, service, and support.


• June 2023 – Scanners installed at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut has installed scanners in the cargo shipment, goods export and DHL freight buildings in order to detect drugs and explosives donated by Germany. The new devices have a screening rate from 500 to 1,200 bags per hour.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects, such as renowned manufacturers, products, demanding technologies, and end-users. Moreover, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key narcotics scanner industry statistics and developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the market research report encompasses several direct and indirect factors that have contributed to the market's growth over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation