BILLERICA, Mass., Dec. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASEI) (“AS&E”), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, today announced the most notable seizures around the world for 2015 as reported in the news or from customers. With a proven track record and best-in-class technology, AS&E’s cargo, parcel, and personnel inspection systems help governments, corporations, and military organizations around the globe to protect borders, ports, checkpoints, critical infrastructure, and high-threat facilities.
“AS&E continues to innovate to support our customers with their most challenging inspection problems,” said Chuck Dougherty, AS&E’s President and CEO. “Our range of inspection systems and technologies are delivered in a variety of form factors that include small portable devices, large fixed-scanning portals, or mobile platforms that can be used as a stand-alone solution or in combination to meet our customers’ unique requirements. AS&E’s detection systems play a critical role in our customers’ overall security efforts because of their proven success in finding drugs, currency, and explosives, and exposing trade fraud.”
The following Most Notable 2015 Seizures from Around the World* were assisted by AS&E’s range of detection solutions:
Africa
1. Over $9 million in trade and tax revenue in three months: In a three-month operation, a customs organization in Africa exceeded their annual revenue target by collecting more than $9 million in trade and tax revenue. A single ZBV® mobile cargo inspection system scanned more than 12,000 containers moving through the port, helping officials quickly and efficiently perform manifest verification, and facilitate the collection of duties and taxes.
Middle East
2. Thousands of kilos of chemicals used to create VBIEDs seized: In the Middle East in November 2015, the ZBV mobile scanning system’s Z Backscatter® technology helped detect chemicals used to make vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) that were hidden in the back of a truck.
3. Over $1 million in U.S. currency seized in the Middle East: In December 2015 at a key checkpoint in the Middle East, the ZBV system detected over $1 million in U.S. currency hidden in the rear panel and fender of a vehicle.
Asia
4. Cocaine valued at $2.13 million seized in Hong Kong: At the Hong Kong International Airport, AS&E’s Gemini® parcel and baggage inspection system detected 2.2 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth approximately $2.13 million. The cocaine was found in false compartments in a backpack.
5. Drugs discovered among baggage on buses in China: In July 2015, the Yunnan MOPS Drug Enforcement Agency used the MINI Z® handheld imaging system to scan baggage at various checkpoints along bus routes and successfully seized drugs hidden in the luggage on a passenger bus.
6. Heroin valued at $700,000 found in a container in Malaysia: The Royal Malaysian Police leveraged the ZBV® mobile cargo and vehicle inspection system to help uncover 34 kilograms of pure heroin worth RM 3 million ($700,000) hidden among hay and horse feed in a container from Pakistan.
North America
7. Heroin valued at $360,000 discovered in a vehicle door in Texas: In January 2015, 11.25 pounds of heroin with a street value of $360,000 were seized with the help of our Z Portal® system that scanned a vehicle arriving at the port of entry from Mexico. The heroin was hidden in the driver-side rear door compartment.
8. U.S. Public Safety officials find $275,000 in cooler lining: Using our MINI Z handheld scanner, U.S. Public Safety officials discovered $275,000 of U.S. currency concealed in the lining of a cooler in the cab of a truck.
South America
9. Over 800 kg of cocaine seized in Peru: The narcotics division of the Peru National Police seized more than 800 kilos of cocaine with the ZBV mobile system. The seizures were a result of drug raids that took place in Cusco and Ayacucho as part of an overall effort to combat drug trafficking in the region.
European Union
10. Over 9,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes seized in Poland: Poland Customs discovered 9,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes, valued at €23,600 ($26,000), with the help of the ZBV mobile cargo and vehicle scanner. The cigarettes (commonly smuggled across borders to avoid paying duties and taxes), were hidden in a secret, remote-controlled hatch in the roof of a truck driver's cab.
Visit our seizures page for additional information on our Most Notable Seizures in 2015. For regular updates on seizures throughout the year, follow us on Twitter @ase_detects.
*These seizures represent only a small fraction of the seizures that take place every day. Thousands are not publicly reported so that our customers can maintain effective operations. While many of the above seizures are among those publicly reported, in some cases AS&E is unable to disclose the customer in order to ensure the security of their continuing missions.
American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) is the trusted global provider of threat and contraband detection solutions for ports, borders, military, critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and aviation. With over 50 years of experience, AS&E offers proven, advanced, X-ray inspection systems to combat terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal immigration, and trade fraud. AS&E systems are designed in a variety of configurations for cargo and vehicle inspection, parcel inspection, and personnel screening. Using a combination of technologies, these systems provide superior detection capabilities, with high-energy, dual-energy, and Z Backscatter® X-rays — pioneered by AS&E. Learn more about AS&E products and technologies at www.as-e.com and follow us on Twitter @ase_detects.
Safe Harbor Statement: The foregoing press release contains statements concerning AS&E’s financial performance, markets and business operations that may be considered “forward-looking” under applicable securities laws. AS&E wishes to caution readers of this press release that actual results might differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements contained herein include the following: significant reductions, delays or cancellations (in full or in part) in procurements of the Company’s systems by the United States and other governments; disruption in the supply of any source component incorporated into AS&E's products; litigation seeking to restrict the use of intellectual property used by the Company; limitations under certain laws on the Company’s ability to protect its own intellectual property; potential product liability claims against the Company; global political trends and events which affect public perception of the threat presented by drugs, explosives and other contraband; global economic developments and the ability of governments and private organizations to fund purchases of the Company’s products to address such threats; the potential insufficiency of Company resources, including human resources, capital, plant and equipment and management systems, to accommodate any future growth; technical problems and other delays that could impact new product development and the Company’s ability to adapt to changes in technology and customer requirements; competitive pressures; lengthy sales cycles both in United States government procurement and procurement abroad; future delays in federal funding, the market price of the company's stock prevailing from time to time, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to the company from time to time, the company's cash flows from operations and market and general economic conditions. These and certain other factors which might cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are detailed from time to time in AS&E’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which important factors are incorporated herein by reference. AS&E undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or changes in future operating results, financial condition or business over time. Readers are further advised to review the “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, which further detail and supplement the factors described in this Safe Harbor Statement. Among other disclosures, the Risk Factors disclose risks pertaining to that portion of the Company’s business that is dependent on United States government contracting as well as international customers.