Developer of detection devices for homeland security, international and domestic military, law enforcement, government and commercial applications, Field Forensics has rolled out the IDEX 008 kit designed to sense Acetic Anhydride, a chemical required to process heroin from opium.
Field Forensics has earlier developed detection kits to detect ammonium nitrate used by patrolling agencies in United States, India, Pakistan and Iran.
The current heroin market is worth $55 billion worldwide, of which European Union countries account for $35 billion, followed by United States in the consumption of heroin. In the last two years, 90% of the opium gum has been produced by Afghanistan, where Acetic Anhydride is banned. For the production of heroin, approximately 1,150 tons of the chemical is required.
The CEO of Field Forensics, Craig Johnson explained that in spite of the ban of Acetic Anhydride, several thousand tons of the chemical are smuggled into Afghanistan year after year. By using the IDEX 008 detection test at the border points of the country the export and production of heroin will be considerably restricted. The training required to handle the test kit is simple, Johnson added that the Border Police and National Police of Afghanistan will be able to use the Acetic Anhydride detection kits to keep a check on heroin.
Available as a standalone kit, the testers are packed in a plastic tube that can be conveniently carried within a shirt or pant packet and is easy to open. The chemical reagents are safely contained within the tester and no additional equipment is required for testing.
Source: http://www.fieldforensics.com