Narcotics Scanner Market Report

Attractive Opportunities

?Global Demand Analysis & Sales Opportunities in Narcotics Scanner Market 

• The annual demand for narcotics scanner was USD 7.6 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 8.3 billion in 2025, up 9.4% than the value in 2024.
• During the next 8 years (forecast period of 2025-2032), the narcotics scanner market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6%. The annual demand will reach USD 14.8 billion in 2032, which is more than 1.5 times the demand in 2025.
• During 2025-2032, the narcotics scanner industry is expected to generate a cumulative sales opportunity of USD 90.7 billion.

High-Growth Market Segments: 

• North America is projected to dominate the narcotics scanner market.
• By product type, Fixed Scanner segment dominated the global market.
• By technology type, Contraband Detection Equipment segment is expected to grow at a faster pace during the forecast period.
• By end-user type, Sea Port segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Market Statistics 

Have a look at the sales opportunities presented by the narcotics scanner market in terms of growth and market forecast.

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

What is a narcotics scanner?

A narcotics scanner is a specialized detection device used to identify illegal drugs and controlled substances in a variety of settings. These scanners use technologies such as X-ray, ion mobility spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy to provide fast, non-invasive inspection. They are widely deployed at airports, border checkpoints, prisons, customs facilities, and security-sensitive public venues to combat drug trafficking.

Market Drivers: 

Rise in Illicit Drug Trafficking and Transnational Crime

• The escalating scale of drug trafficking and organized crime is a major driver for the narcotics scanner market. As per the UNODC World
• Drug Report 2024, 292 million people used drugs in 2022, reflecting a 20% rise over the past decade. Criminal networks, particularly in the Golden Triangle, are diversifying into illicit activities like wildlife trafficking, financial fraud, and illegal resource extraction, leading to deforestation and chemical pollution.
• This growing web of transnational crime is pushing governments to deploy advanced narcotics scanners at borders, ports, and high-risk zones for more effective interdiction.

Market Challenges: 

Emergence of Drones and Robotics in Drug Trafficking

• The rising use of drones and robotic systems by traffickers to transport narcotics is creating a significant obstacle for the narcotics scanner market.
• These methods allow illicit substances to bypass conventional checkpoints where scanners are installed, reducing the effectiveness of current detection systems.
• As traffickers shift toward unmanned, remote delivery channels, the market faces a growing challenge to innovate beyond static, ground-based scanner deployments.

Market Opportunities: 

Application of AI for Predictive Maintenance and Logistics Optimization

• One of the most impactful opportunities in the defense sector is the application of AI for predictive maintenance and logistics management.
• By analyzing equipment performance data in real time, AI can anticipate failures before they occur, reducing downtime, extending asset life, and cutting operational costs.
• This is especially valuable for air fleets, naval systems, and ground vehicles. The growing demand for operational efficiency and mission readiness makes this a high-potential growth area for AI solutions in the defense sector.

Segments' Analysis

By Product Type

“Fixed scanner segment dominated the global market.”

• The fixed scanner segment dominates the global narcotics scanner market, driven by widespread adoption at airports, seaports, and border control points.
• These systems offer high-throughput, accurate, and non-intrusive inspection, making them essential in locations with continuous, large-scale screening needs.
• Additionally, growing investments in national security and customs infrastructure are reinforcing demand for fixed scanners in both developed and emerging economies.

By Technology Type

“Contraband Detection Equipment segment is expected to grow at a faster pace during the forecast period.”

• The contraband detection equipment segment is projected to grow at a faster pace during the forecast period, driven by increasing global efforts to curb illegal trafficking and smuggling.
• These systems are capable of detecting a wide range of concealed substances, including drugs, weapons, and explosives, across luggage, cargo, and vehicles.
• Advancements in scanning technologies and heightened investment in border and transportation security are further fueling the segment’s growth.

By Region Type

“North America is projected to dominate the market.”

• North America is projected to dominate the narcotics scanner market during the forecast period, driven by high government spending on border control, law enforcement, and homeland security.
• The region leads in the adoption of advanced scanning technologies, supported by strong presence of key market players and frequent technological upgrades.
• Rising incidents of drug trafficking and strict regulatory frameworks further reinforce North America’s leadership in the global market.

Competitive Landscape

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the narcotics scanner market -  

• Astrophysics Inc.
• Aventura Technologies Inc.
• Bruker Corporation
• Chemring Group PLC
• FLIR Systems Inc.
• OSI Systems Inc. (Rapiscan Systems)
• Smiths Detection Inc.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Viken Detection
• L3 Security & Detection Systems Inc.

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

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Recent Developments/Mergers & Acquisitions:

• In November 2023, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition of baggage scanners for five international airports: Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kano. The contract also includes the supply and installation of customized explosive and narcotic detection screening systems featuring dual-view and remote monitoring capabilities.
• In October 2023, Teledyne FLIR Defense, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, launched the Griffin G510x, an advanced portable chemical detector. Designed for field use, it can identify explosives and narcotics, including fentanyl, within five minutes, enabling law enforcement and first responders to conduct rapid drug identification.
• In November 2023, Vehant Technologies Pvt. Ltd., based in Noida, secured a contract from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to supply and install 44 dual-view X-ray machines of various sizes. The deployment will include several advanced models, such as the 6040 dual-view baggage scanner and KritiScan® 100100 and 150180 dual-view cargo scanners.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Market Segmentation 

This report studies the market, covering a period of 15 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The global narcotics scanner market is segmented into the following categories. 

Global Narcotics Scanner Market, by Product Type

• Handheld/Portable Scanner
• Fixed Scanner
• Walkthrough Scanner

Global Narcotics Scanner Market, by Technology Type

• Contraband Detection Equipment
• Infrared Spectroscopy
• Ion Mobility Spectrum Technology
• Video Scope Inspection System

Global Narcotics Scanner Market, by End-User Type

• Airport
• Sea Port
• Railway Terminal
• Law Enforcement
• Defense & Military
• Others

Global Narcotics Scanner Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, The UK, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s global narcotics scanner market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 7.56 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respected clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to [email protected]