--- title: "Customs Screening for Narcotics Concealed on the Body" type: "Use case" date: "2026-10-18" updated: "2026-11-03" description: "Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical." url: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs" canonical: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs" markdown_url: "https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs.md" site: "Apstec" publisher: "Apstec Systems (Apstec Sweden AB (publ))" contact: "info@apstecsystems.com" language: "en-US" breadcrumbs: - "Home: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/" - "News, Articles & Case Studies: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news" - "Customs Screening for Narcotics Concealed on the Body: https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs" reading_time_minutes: 8 --- # Customs Screening for Narcotics Concealed on the Body *Use case · October 18, 2026 · 8 min read* > Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical. _Use case_ ## Customs Screening for Narcotics Concealed on the Body Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. [Book a demo](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/contact?choose=Book%20a%20demo) [How Apstec helps](#solution) ![Passengers in an airport's arrival immigration hall](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvtyhqd0-h9e5221h.webp) _The challenge_ ### Narcotics concealed on the body Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical. Authorities are looking for technologies capable of screening large numbers of people non-invasively for narcotics and other items of concern. - **Where:** Border crossings, for departing and arriving passengers - **Detects:** Concealments on the body and in body-worn and hand-carried bags - **Product:** Apstec Falcon Select - **Funding:** Selected as the sole equipment funded by the EU via the Pan European Network of Customs Practitioners _The solution_ ### Falcon Select: non-invasive screening of the full height of the person Apstec’s next-generation solution, Falcon Select, non-invasively screens the full height of the person for concealments on the body, as well as their body-worn and hand-carried bags. Falcon Select delivers a safe, unobtrusive screening operation that respects the right to privacy and improves the border-crossing experience for either departing or arriving passengers. Because of its high mobility and small footprint, it is also installed very quickly, offering a high degree of operational agility. The technology was selected as the sole equipment to be funded by the EU, via the Pan European Network of Customs Practitioners, to be developed specifically to deliver ‘Fast non-intrusive screening of passengers to detect and deter body-worn drugs’. The project is complete and the resulting Falcon Select solution delivers a powerful capability that complements existing Customs efforts to increase the effectiveness of operations in a proportionate, pragmatic, and affordable way. [See the products](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/products) [Book a demo](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/contact?choose=Book%20a%20demo) ![A traveller holding a passport beside a suitcase](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvrtn1ww-bo2groey.webp) - **>2,500** — people / hour — screened by HSS Falcon Select - **34%** — more cocaine — Global cocaine production rose 34 per cent in 2022 alone (UNODC, World Drug Report 2025) - **68%** — more seizures — Cocaine seizures rose 68 percent between 2019 and 2023 (UNODC) _Challenges and requirements_ ### Screening people at borders A significant percentage of illicit drugs is still trafficked on people: passengers, crew and staff crossing borders. Technology detects concealments in freight; the same has not been true of screening people. - The scale of the task — Unless the screening process is free of any significant disruption, it is a non-starter. - Mobile and quick to move — Different entry points pose different risks, so technology should be relocated quickly to respond to higher risk scenarios. - Discriminative, not an anomaly detector — Travellers carry passports, books, food and drink. The technology must tell real items of interest from them, not raise alerts that need resolving. _The effect_ ### HSS Falcon Select at the border HSS Falcon Select is high-throughput screening equipment optimized to detect illegal drugs concealed on the body. It screens people without the need to remove either outer clothing or bags, and alerts in real time. #### 01 All or selected travellers _No preparation, no disruption_ Enables screening of all or a selected group of higher risk travellers without any preparation by the person being screened or any disruption to the flow. #### 02 Drugs told apart from benign items _On the body and in bags_ Detects materials with the characteristics of drugs concealed on the body and discriminates between them and benign items. #### 03 Mobile or permanent _In operation within minutes_ Deployed in many scenarios or installed in a permanent location to meet the operational concept. #### 04 Alerts by themselves _Locally, to a control room or anywhere_ It does not need to be operated: it generates alerts automatically, identifying the person and the location of the item of interest for rapid resolution. #### 05 Supports the officer's decision _A good trigger for behavioural detection_ It simply provides information to support decision making for the customs organisation or the officer on the ground. It is proportionate and cost effective. _White Paper_ ### Innovative Solutions to the Challenge of Detecting Body Worn Drugs Narcotics trafficking across borders is a growing global challenge, with criminals constantly adapting their methods to evade detection. Customs authorities are under increasing pressure to protect borders while maintaining the smooth flow of people and goods. In this context, new screening technologies present opportunities to strengthen detection capabilities in a practical, efficient, and non-disruptive way. This section is a form (“White paper: Innovative Solutions to the Challenge of Detecting Body Worn Drugs”) that visitors fill in on the web page. It asks for: - **Name** (required): short text - **Email** (required): email address - **Company** (required): short text It is sent with the “Download” button and goes to the Apstec team. I accept the terms in the [Privacy Policy](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/privacy-policy) _Why it works_ ### Selected for customs operations Following a competitive tender by the Pan European Network for Customs Practitioners (PEN-CP), Apstec’s HSS Falcon Select was the single product selected to be optimised to detect drugs. ![A sign at an immigration inspection point](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/media/mvu38684-0gb8kxg0.webp) - A strong deterrent — Trafficking is often driven by financial gain, so technology designed to detect on-body concealments is likely to deter. - Real-time and non-invasive — No need to remove outer clothing or bags; travellers keep moving. - Safe and private — HSS Falcon Select is totally safe for all people and does not have any privacy issues. - Compact — 134 × 239 × 62 cm, a 120 cm free passage and 130 kg for its two pillars. _Products_ ### Our products [Compare them all](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/products#compare) - _Weapons, Explosives & Narcotics_ — Falcon — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/falcon)) - Millimeter Wave - Passive Magnetometry - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Weapons, Explosives & Narcotics_ — Falcon Plus — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/falcon-plus)) - Millimeter Wave - Active Induction Balance - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Metallic Threats_ — Merlin — 2500 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/merlin)) - Active Induction Balance - Indoor/Outdoor - Mobile - _Weapons & Explosives_ — HSR — 6000 / h ([Read more](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/hsr)) - Millimeter Wave - Passive Magnetometry - Indoor - Fixed installation _Questions_ ### Screening at customs Something else? Write to [info@apstecsystems.com](mailto:info@apstecsystems.com) or call [+46 8 525 130 65](tel:+46852513065). #### Why are customs hard to secure? Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical. Authorities are looking for technologies capable of screening large numbers of people non-invasively for narcotics and other items of concern. #### How does Apstec screen at customs? Apstec’s next-generation solution, Falcon Select, non-invasively screens the full height of the person for concealments on the body, as well as their body-worn and hand-carried bags. Falcon Select delivers a safe, unobtrusive screening operation that respects the right to privacy and improves the border-crossing experience for either departing or arriving passengers. Because of its high mobility and small footprint, it is also installed very quickly, offering a high degree of operational agility. The technology was selected as the sole equipment to be funded by the EU, via the Pan European Network of Customs Practitioners, to be developed specifically to deliver ‘Fast non-intrusive screening of passengers to detect and deter body-worn drugs’. The project is complete and the resulting Falcon Select solution delivers a powerful capability that complements existing Customs efforts to increase the effectiveness of operations in a proportionate, pragmatic, and affordable way. #### Which Apstec products suit customs? Apstec Falcon Select, which screens the full height of the person and their body-worn and hand-carried bags for concealments. _Use cases_ ### Where else Apstec screens [All use cases](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/use-cases) - Airports — Oct 20, 2026 — As millions of people pass through airports each day, airports have become a logical target for terrorists. And while airside security has increased significantly in the wake of attacks, landside security has lagged behind—despite attacks at airports in Brussels and Istanbul. People can usually enter airports without encountering much in the way of security measures. ([Airports](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/airports)) - Stadiums — Oct 19, 2026 — Stadiums, as large gathering places, present a complex array of security challenges. These challenges stem from the sheer volume of people, the emotional intensity of events, and the potential for malicious intent. ([Stadiums](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/stadiums)) - Customs — Oct 18, 2026 — Detecting narcotics concealed on the body under clothing is incredibly challenging. Technology has struggled to deliver effective solutions, and large-scale manual operations are intrusive, costly, and generally impractical. ([Customs](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs)) - Mass Transportation — Oct 17, 2026 — Railway stations, metro systems, bus terminals and other land transport hubs are among the most challenging environments to secure. They are designed to move thousands of people quickly and efficiently, making traditional checkpoint-based security both impractical and disruptive. ([Mass Transportation](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/mass-transportation)) - Maritime — Oct 16, 2026 — Effective security screening measures on cruise ships and within port facilities are essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers, crew, and the vessels themselves. Robust maritime security screening measures act as a crucial deterrent against terrorism, the smuggling of illegal substances and weapons, and other potential criminal activities. ([Maritime](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/maritime)) - Expos & Conferences — Oct 15, 2026 — In an era where security incidents in public places are a growing concern, exhibition, conference, and trade fair organizers are increasingly looking to adopt innovative solutions to ensure the safety of their visitors and exhibitors while at the same time providing a smooth and speedy entry experience to the venue. ([Expos & Conferences](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/exhibitions-conferences)) - Hotels — Oct 14, 2026 — Guests at high-end hotels, expect a premium hotel experience, seamless luxury, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere—all while feeling safe and secure. However, hotels can be high-profile targets for criminals and terrorists due to their public accessibility and large number of visitors. ([Hotels](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/hotels)) - Tourist Attractions & Iconic Landmarks — Oct 13, 2026 — Tourist attractions and landmark buildings present a unique set of security challenges. Because of their accessibility and symbolic value, such sites are often considered “soft targets” and potentially attractive targets for terrorist attacks. ([Tourist Attractions & Iconic Landmarks](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/tourist-attractions-iconic-landmarks)) ## How to cite Apstec Systems (Apstec Sweden AB (publ)). “Customs Screening for Narcotics Concealed on the Body”. Apstec, 2026-10-18. https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs (accessed ). ## Company & contact - **Company:** Apstec Systems — legal entity Apstec Sweden AB (publ) - **Apstec Sweden AB (publ):** Strandvägen 7A, 114 56 Stockholm, Sweden ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Strandv%C3%A4gen+7A%2C+114+56+Stockholm%2C+Sweden)) - **General enquiries:** [info@apstecsystems.com](mailto:info@apstecsystems.com) - **Phone:** +46 8 525 130 65 --- [View on site](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news/customs) · [All News, Articles & Case Studies](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/news.md) · [Site index for agents (llms.txt)](https://apstec.clearagency.ai/llms.txt)