September 29, 2023

CBP Agents Helped Design This Density Meter

CBP Agents Helped Design This Density MeterLaw enforcement agents and interdiction officers use contraband detecting tools in their mission to quell smuggling and drug trafficking. Since that is the case, they might as well choose the best density meter that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helped design — the Buster K910B, now the upgraded Buster K910G Density Meter.

It started back in the 80s, when Campbell/Harris Security Equipment Company (CSECO) created the Buster density meter with end-user input from the CBP officers. CSECO founder Patrick J. Campbell had over three decades of experience in developing and designing equipment that involve the use of radioactive elements. He used this knowledge to develop the Buster.

It happened in 1984 when the federal government, aware of Campbell’s experience, asked him to create a density meter that would help them to detect and locate concealed contraband. Campbell said yes to them, but added that he would be able to develop such density meter if he would be allowed to work with the end-users. It turned out that the end-users were the CBP agents.

The CBP officers contributed their own ideas which enabled Campbell to perfect his design of what would become the world’s first-ever density meter for detecting contraband, the Buster K910B. The CBP agents then tested the new invention during a six- to eight-month trial. Eventually, the Buster successfully completed and passed all the CBP tests.

The Buster was released commercially, but strictly for law-enforcement agencies only. Since then, CBP as well as other law enforcement agencies in the country have been using and trusting the Buster K910B in their daily mission to combat narcotics and contraband. Despite surpassing all client expectations, CSECO has never stopped working on possible improvements in its flagship density meter.

And the company’s efforts have been paid off. CSECO introduces the newest version of the Buster — the Buster K910G, which features significant improvements from its predecessor:

  • More ergonomic design — the Buster K910B’s sharp corners have been replaced by the K910G’s more rounded edges to prevent accidental scratching.
  • Much slimmer design — adapted for smaller hands and hot, humid conditions
  • Velcro added to Buster’s bottom
  • Added strap to maintain a tighter grip
  • No more potentially-dangerous lead-based components in the Buster’s interiors.

The K910G still retains the features of the K910B that contributed to its phenomenal success: the low-intensity gamma radiation and scintillation detector. It enables the Buster to scan through several types of materials (wood, rubber, metal, reinforced plastic, etc.) quickly sans the need to externally damage their surface. The same technology also helps the Buster to tell whether the objects being scanned has a normal density, or otherwise has a higher-than-usual of density. If that’s the latter, then the contraband is likely to be present behind the surface being scanned. The Buster K910G is still equipped with audio and visual alarms to alert users of the contraband.

This very technology that the Buster has enables it to detect several kinds of hidden contraband, from narcotics to cash to explosives. Its newest feature, the RAD-Aware, detects the presence of radiation, especially in abnormally high and dangerous quantities. The RAD-Aware helps the first responders to positively detect radiation leaks such as the dirty bomb detonation. He then establishes boundaries to keep the other inspectors and civilians out to safety.

Not a lot of density meters in the market were conceived and designed with direct input from the Customs and Border Protection agents — only the Buster K910G Density Meter from CSECO. Now you know why CBP agents strongly recommend it!