The escalating fentanyl crisis at the U.S. southern border is being addressed with a significant boost in technology: Border Patrol Car Scanners. After reports highlighted that millions of dollars worth of scanners were sitting unused due to lack of funding, Congress has approved $200 million to install fifty-six new scanning systems. These advanced “border patrol car scanners” are crucial in the Biden administration’s strategy to combat the influx of fentanyl, with an overwhelming ninety-five percent of seized fentanyl being discovered in personal vehicles driven by U.S. citizens crossing the border.
This funding injection, spurred by bipartisan calls from senators, House members, and state attorneys general following media coverage, will bring the total number of operational and in-construction scanners to over one hundred. The allocation of funds through the House Homeland Security appropriations bill marks a turning point in the deployment of technology intended to stem the flow of this deadly opioid. The 56 new systems are projected to be operational by 2026, adding to the 31 already in place and 27 under construction, all initially approved in 2021.
Once fully implemented, these border patrol car scanners are expected to examine 40% of all personal vehicles entering the U.S. This is a dramatic increase from the current rate of less than 5%, where customs officers often rely on subjective intuition to identify vehicles requiring further inspection. The deployment of these scanners represents a significant shift towards a technology-driven approach to border security and drug interdiction.
Bobby Watt, a former CBP official with over 30 years of experience in overseeing non-intrusive inspection scanning, emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive scanning. He argues that aiming for 100% scanning of personal vehicles is not just ideal, but essential. Watt, now an advisor to a scanning technology contractor, points out the obvious vulnerability of ports of entry without scanner technology, stating, “if you were a drug smuggler, would you go to a port that had an X-ray? Or would you go to the one next to it that didn’t have an X-ray?” His perspective underscores the deterrent effect and increased effectiveness that widespread use of border patrol car scanners can provide.
Despite the acknowledged effectiveness of border patrol car scanners, the installation process has faced considerable delays. Construction challenges at ports of entry, including space limitations, and funding constraints have been cited by DHS as primary obstacles. While the new funding addresses the immediate need to activate the already procured scanners, DHS maintains that achieving 100% vehicle scanning would require further financial commitment from Congress. However, the senior CBP official clarified that the 40% of vehicles targeted for scanning will not be chosen randomly but will be selected based on risk assessment, maximizing the impact of the deployed border patrol car scanners.
The progress in deploying these scanners is being recognized and applauded by those directly impacted by the fentanyl crisis. Cindy DeMaio, who tragically lost her daughter to fentanyl poisoning, is among the parents advocating for stronger border security measures. For DeMaio and countless others, the enhanced detection capabilities offered by border patrol car scanners represent a crucial step forward in preventing further tragedies. Her work with other bereaved parents and advocacy along the southern border highlights the profound human cost of fentanyl trafficking and the urgent need for effective countermeasures.
Political pressure has also played a significant role in advancing the deployment of border patrol car scanners. Senator John Cornyn has been a vocal critic of the slow pace of scanner installation and has requested a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into the expenditure of over a billion dollars on X-ray equipment. This inquiry, currently underway, reflects concerns about efficiency and accountability in the scanner deployment program. Cornyn, along with Senator Maggie Hassan, is also championing bipartisan legislation to rigorously evaluate different scanner technologies to ensure the most effective tools are utilized in the future. Their efforts emphasize the commitment to not only deploy more scanners, but to ensure that the technology used by border patrol is cutting-edge and optimally effective in fentanyl detection.
CBP emphasizes that “non-intrusive inspection technology,” including border patrol car scanners, is just one component of their comprehensive strategy to combat fentanyl and other contraband. However, it is undeniably a vital tool. The increased deployment of these scanners, facilitated by recent funding, signifies a critical advancement in border security efforts and the ongoing fight against the devastating fentanyl crisis.
