Narcotics scanner, also known as drug detection technologies, are devices that are used to detect narcotics and illicit substances in substances or places. They detect the presence of drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other synthetic drugs as well. Narcotics scanners help law enforcement agencies to curb illegal smuggling and trafficking of narcotics and also identify narcotic substances which are used to manufacture illegal drugs. They are widely used at airports, border checkpoints, customs areas, correctional facilities and other public places.

The global narcotics scanner market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2735.68 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.

Market Dynamics:

Increasing law enforcement activities globally is one of the major drivers of the narcotics scanner market. Law enforcement agencies across the world are focusing on intensifying security checks at public places like airports, railway stations etc. to curb drug trafficking and smuggling. They are investing heavily in advanced narcotics detection technologies like portable scanners, whole body imagers etc. to conduct thorough checks on people and luggage in a minimally invasive manner. For instance, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), law enforcement authorities globally seized around 276 million tablets of prescription opioids in 2022, depicting a 20% rise over the previous year.

Another driver for the market is growing number of drug abuse and overdose cases which has prompted authorities to tighten their anti-narcotics drive. As per the data by United Nations World Drug Report 2022, around 36.5 million Americans used narcotic or painkiller drugs in 2020, which led to over 100,300 lethal overdoses, reflecting a 28.5% rise in overdose deaths compared to 2019.

Segment Analysis

The narcotics scanner market is segmented based on technology as ion mobility spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and chemical sensing. The ion mobility spectrometry segment dominated the market in 2024 with a share of over 50%, as it is more cost-effective and helps scan drugs more quickly as compared to other technologies. It provides accurate identification of narcotics in just a few seconds and is highly effective for field applications.

PEST Analysis

Political: Stringent rules and regulations regarding possession and sale of illegal drugs across countries is boosting demand for narcotics scanners at airports, railways, customs points.

Economic: Rising illegal drug trafficking activities globally and increased government spending on security and law enforcement is fueling market growth.

Social: Increasing drug addiction rates especially among youth is a major social concern prompting adoption of scanners.

Technological: Advancements in scanner technologies like portable and wearable devices offers real-time scanning and enables seamless checks without hampering workflow.

Key Takeaways

The global Narcotics Scanner Market Share  is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period. The global narcotics scanner market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2735.68 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.

\North America region is currently the largest market owing to strict government policies for drug checking at borders in US and Canada. Europe is also a major market supported by sizeable government funding and presence of leading players.

Key players operating in the narcotics scanner market are Akers Biosciences, Inc., Philips Healthcare, Abbott Laboratories, GE Healthcare, Nemaura Medical, Inc., Integrity Applications Inc., OrSense, MediWise Ltd., Medtronic Plc. Akers Biosciences dominates the market with its portable and fully-automated TruNarc analyzer offering rapid drug identification. Philips Healthcare provides a wide range with their field and lab-based solutions adopted globally at airports.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it