Rigaku Raman Analyzer Detects $36M of Cocaine in Confiscation

The Progeny ResQ handheld Raman analyzer from Rigaku Analytical Devices was used during a recent seizure of illegal drugs being transported to Antwerp, Belgium.

Nearly 750 kg of cocaine was confiscated on the commercial port of Jarry, Guadeloupe. The drug was divided and concealed in 850 sacks of rice, which Progeny ResQ was able to analyze. The value of the confiscation was estimated to be worth more than €30 million ($36 million).

“We are thrilled our analyzer was used to assist border patrol in identifying and thus preventing such a large amount of illicit drugs to enter the communities,” said Bree Allen, president of Rigaku Analytical Devices. “It is imperative we have the most innovative tools in the hands of our law enforcement and border protection professionals who face an increase in the circulation of illegal drugs.”

Progeny ResQ enables users to perform rapid identification of the widest range of drugs that includes the newest opioid compounds including various fentanyls. With its unique 1064-nm excitation laser, Progeny ResQ can measure colored solids, liquids or powders, as well as substances through containers, overcoming issues of fluorescence interference that affect other handheld Raman devices. In addition, the integrated camera is capable of capturing images of test samples and seamlessly integrating them into the results database for analysis reports.

Rigaku Analytical Devices is the handheld and portable spectroscopic analyzer business unit of Rigaku Corp. Its portfolio of handheld and portable spectroscopic analyzers are used for a variety of applications.