New Drug Detector Unveiled in Florida: Can It Provide Reliable Evidence?

A new “drug radar gun” has been unveiled in Florida, and police say that it can detect controlled substances from a distance. Law enforcement departments in Fort Lauderdale may soon adopt this technology, and defendants could find themselves facing charges without ever being searched. Are these radar guns even reliable? Can they provide admissible evidence in criminal trials? These are just a few questions you might have after facing drug trafficking charges in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida International University Makes Pendar X10 Free for Police Departments 

Thanks to a new program launched by Florida International University, police departments across the State can get their hands on the Pendar X10 completely free of charge. The device is a handheld “radar gun” of sorts that detects hard drugs.

While testing the device, researchers set up fake drug houses and vehicles. They were able to detect the presence of methamphetamine while standing “a few feet away” from a vehicle, and the radar gun pinged a positive result within seconds. The device can also analyze vials of drugs and determine the specific contents, including cutting agents and admixtures.

While the device is apparently quite easy to use, police officers still require specialized training before they can bring it out into the field. Both the Pendar X10 and the training programs are now available for free – allowing any police department in the Sunshine State to begin using this technology within a matter of weeks.

While there are similar devices in the policing world, the Pendar X10 is apparently more advanced and accurate than anything else today. This might only represent the beginning of a new wave of drug-detecting technology that becomes increasingly advanced with each passing year. Combined with AI, the implications are astounding.

Does Scanning Technology Violate the Fourth Amendment?

 Scanning technology has been a controversial issue since the first x-ray scanners were introduced at US airports. The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches, and one might argue that a scan constitutes a search. However, the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that scanning technology does not violate the Fourth Amendment.

A scan could therefore provide probable cause for a physical search and subsequent arrest. If drug scanning tech becomes more widespread virtually everyone could have their bodies and vehicles scanned the minute they set foot in public. The results would then be analyzed automatically by artificial intelligence, and this software would then alert local police officers.

Find a Qualified, Experienced Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale 

If you’ve been searching for a qualified, experienced drug trafficking lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, look no further than Haber Blank. With our help, you can strive for optimal results and call into question the evidence laid against you. Although new technology tends to get plenty of hype in the media, these devices often struggle with serious problems. A defense attorney can closely examine the technological limitations of so-called drug radar guns, pointing out potential malfunctions and errors. Book your consultation today to learn more.

Sources: 

nbcmiami.com/news/local/fiu-pilot-program-aims-to-help-law-enforcement-combat-the-opioid-crisis/3235480/

thehill.com/policy/transportation/171819-court-tsa-body-scanners-are-constitutional/#:~:text=The%20controversial%20full%2Dbody%20scanning,Constitution%2C%20a%20court%20ruled%20Friday.