General Atomics

Smiths Detection strengthens border security in Trinidad & Tobago

Smiths Detection has successfully delivered and installed four state-of-the-art HCVM XL mobile scanners to the Customs and Excise Division (CED) of Trinidad & Tobago.



Image courtesy Smiths Detection

The deployment forms part of a broader effort to enhance national security and combat the growing threats of drug trafficking and organised crime.
 
The contract, awarded to Sectus Technologies, a trusted distributor of Smiths Detection, includes the supply of four HCVM XL units, along with comprehensive programme management, technical and operator training, train-the-trainer sessions, installation and Year 2 extended warranty services.
 
Installations were completed at the Port of Spain in November 2024 and at the Port of Point Lisas in January 2025.
 
Smiths Detection’s HCVM XL mobile scanners provide high-energy X-ray imaging for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) of cargo, enabling customs officers to rapidly and accurately identify illicit goods without disrupting the flow of trade. These units will significantly expand the CED’s scanning capabilities, reduce wait times for the trade community and support efforts to increase transparency and efficiency at key ports of entry.
 
Trinidad and Tobago lies on a major transshipment corridor between drug-producing regions and high-demand consumer markets. Like many Caribbean and South American nations, this has made the country vulnerable to trafficking-related crime and violence. As part of a national security strategy, the government has prioritised investment in advanced technologies to enhance border protection and disrupt criminal supply chains.
 
Smiths Detection and its local partner Sectus Technologies have built a longstanding relationship with the CED and are committed to delivering solutions that make a tangible difference to national security.

Related

Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
DSA runway.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
This significant investment in new radar technology marks an important step in the development of the airport's infrastructure prior to its planned reopening.
Aerospace Member News

13 Aug 2026

Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow third runway
Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow can recover up to £320m in early third runway costs through airport charges. Here’s who pays and what happens if the expansion is cancelled.
Aerospace Most Read

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

Putin warns Russia could seize British ships amid ‘shadow fleet’ crackdown
A Royal Navy-operated Merlin HM4 hovers over the deck of the sanctioned Cameroonian-flagged crude oil tanker and suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' vessel, Smyrtos, during a maritime interdiction mission to seize the vessel on 14 June 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
Putin warns Russia could seize British ships amid ‘shadow fleet’ crackdown
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to retaliate against British and Western commercial vessels after the UK seized a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker, further escalating tensions over sanctions and maritime security.
Defence Most Read

13 Aug 2026

Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
aab UK, Aquark Technologies and Royal Navy Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO) have successfully completed a UK trial showing how a military radar network can continue operating without GPS timing.
Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
A Royal Navy trial has shown how quantum timing can keep separate military radars synchronised and sharing an accurate air picture without GPS timing.
Defence Most Read

13 Aug 2026

StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
Leonardo AW149 flying at sunset
StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
StandardAero’s Gosport facility will build, maintain and overhaul the engines for Britain’s new AW149 helicopter fleet, securing a significant UK workshare in the New Medium Helicopter programme and opening the door to future export work.
MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
Chorus: generated image.
MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
With the opening of its new control centre, MDA Space has moved closer to operational readiness ahead of the launch of its CHORUS satellite constellation later this year.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Ground station.
Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Intuitive Machines’ integrated ground-to-space network is set to be enhanced by the ground station assets and competencies at Goonhilly, which will remain a UK entity and gain expanded resources, technologies and global reach.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
Manufacturing cyber security.
UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
A new report from Make UK outlines the true extent of the risks of cyber attacks faced by manufacturing businesses across Britain.
Security

12 Aug 2026

How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
Mines float on the waves in the sea 3d illustration
How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
A major collaborative effort to design and implement an innovative test of UK underwater mine countermeasures is set to inform and enhance future operations.
Defence Security

12 Aug 2026

AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
IT technician checks cyber security in the office
AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
AXA XL’s acquisition of UK cyber consultancy S-RM comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to strengthen prevention, incident response and supply chain resilience.
Security

11 Aug 2026