MX908 is a multi-mission, handheld mass spectrometer utilized by elite responders conducting chemical, explosive, priority drug, and hazmat operations around the world.
MX908: A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE RESPONDER TOOLKIT
MX908® detects compounds at trace levels and combines unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity, providing users with confident results and actionable intelligence other handheld technologies cannot. The power of high-pressure mass spectrometry™ (HPMS) accurately discriminates priority threats from the broad range of interferents that lead to false alarms with other commonly used technologies.
DETECT AND IDENTIFY CHEMICALS IN ANY PHASE
With the MX908, one device can analyze any sample you encounter regardless of size or phase of matter. This flexibility combined with the MX908 expanding target list ensures that responders have a device that can evolve with new and emerging threats.
MULTI-MODE THREAT DETECTION
MX908 EXCELS WITH SAMPLES ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE
MX908 EXCELS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF SAMPLES AND CONCENTRATIONS
The MX908 is powered by high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) technology, which enables responders to detect and identify chemical hazards from bulk to true trace concentrations. MX908 is up to 1 million times more sensitive than commonly used Raman and FT-IR technologies. Depend on high-fidelity trace and bulk identification, for point detection or remote area monitoring, all with one device
YOUR MISSION DEFINES YOUR MODE
Based on your specific mission objectives, choose an MX908 Mission Mode that leverages specialized software and hardware configurations to optimize performance for hunting certain chemical classes.
DRUG HUNTER
Methamphetamine
Cocaine
Fentanyl and 2000+ Fentanyl Analogs
Heroin
Cannabinoids
Cathinones
And More…
Identify narcotics in low concentration mixtures (well below 5%)
Establish trace chemical evidence linkages for interdiction, checkpoint operations, and more
Improve officer safety with limited exposure risk
Fentanyl Classifier provides coverage for 2000+ fentanyl analogs
Add case information with the MX908 remote application
CW HUNTER
Novichoks or A-series Agents
Legacy Warfare Agents (G, V, and H-series)
Pharmaceutical Based Agents (including fentanyl, carfentanil, and remifentanil)
Only field deployable detector for trace identification of Novichoks
Only field deployable detector for identification of aerosolized threats
Quantify chemical warfare agents in real time
Identifying Novichoks and other CWAs by name is essential for decontamination and medical response
Allow for broad threat coverage in any state with a single device
Remote area monitoring with MX908 Beacon
EXPLOSIVE HUNTER
Homemade Explosives
Military Explosives
Commercial Explosives
Precursors
Identify trace explosive residues
Identify explosives by name to guide response
Analyze samples safely with no threat of igniting sensitive materials
Identify aerosolized chemical threats dispersed from IEDs and other munitions
Establish trace chemical evidence linkages for checkpoint operations, HME lab response, and more
MX908 is a multi-mission, handheld mass spectrometer utilized by elite responders conducting chemical, explosive, priority drug, and hazmat operations around the world.
MX908: A CRITICAL TOOL IN THE RESPONDER TOOLKIT
MX908® detects compounds at trace levels and combines unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity, providing users with confident results and actionable intelligence other handheld technologies cannot. The power of high-pressure mass spectrometry™ (HPMS) accurately discriminates priority threats from the broad range of interferents that lead to false alarms with other commonly used technologies.
DETECT AND IDENTIFY CHEMICALS IN ANY PHASE
With the MX908, one device can analyze any sample you encounter regardless of size or phase of matter. This flexibility combined with the MX908 expanding target list ensures that responders have a device that can evolve with new and emerging threats.
MULTI-MODE THREAT DETECTION
MX908 EXCELS WITH SAMPLES ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE
MX908 EXCELS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF SAMPLES AND CONCENTRATIONS
The MX908 is powered by high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) technology, which enables responders to detect and identify chemical hazards from bulk to true trace concentrations. MX908 is up to 1 million times more sensitive than commonly used Raman and FT-IR technologies. Depend on high-fidelity trace and bulk identification, for point detection or remote area monitoring, all with one device
YOUR MISSION DEFINES YOUR MODE
Based on your specific mission objectives, choose an MX908 Mission Mode that leverages specialized software and hardware configurations to optimize performance for hunting certain chemical classes.
DRUG HUNTER
Methamphetamine
Cocaine
Fentanyl and 2000+ Fentanyl Analogs
Heroin
Cannabinoids
Cathinones
And More…
Identify narcotics in low concentration mixtures (well below 5%)
Establish trace chemical evidence linkages for interdiction, checkpoint operations, and more
Improve officer safety with limited exposure risk
Fentanyl Classifier provides coverage for 2000+ fentanyl analogs
Add case information with the MX908 remote application
CW HUNTER
Novichoks or A-series Agents
Legacy Warfare Agents (G, V, and H-series)
Pharmaceutical Based Agents (including fentanyl, carfentanil, and remifentanil)
Only field deployable detector for trace identification of Novichoks
Only field deployable detector for identification of aerosolized threats
Quantify chemical warfare agents in real time
Identifying Novichoks and other CWAs by name is essential for decontamination and medical response
Allow for broad threat coverage in any state with a single device
Remote area monitoring with MX908 Beacon
EXPLOSIVE HUNTER
Homemade Explosives
Military Explosives
Commercial Explosives
Precursors
Identify trace explosive residues
Identify explosives by name to guide response
Analyze samples safely with no threat of igniting sensitive materials
Identify aerosolized chemical threats dispersed from IEDs and other munitions
Establish trace chemical evidence linkages for checkpoint operations, HME lab response, and more
The increasing use of drugs in prisons has become a concerning issue worldwide, posing significant challenges for both correctional facilities and society at large. A primary factor contributing to the rise in drug use within prisons is the ingenuity of inmates and collaborators on the outside. Despite rigorous security measures, contraband substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and opioids find their way into correctional facilities through creative methods like drones or legal mail. The demand for these substances remains high among inmates.
The increasing prevalence of drugs in correctional facilities is well documented:
There has been a 600% increase in inmate deaths in the United States due to drugs or alcohol from 2001- 2018, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.1 (See Figure 1)
Contraband demands higher prices in prison than on the street and is a contributing factor to availability in correctional facilities. The profit that can be generated by drug sales in prisons is reported to be up to four times greater than that in the community.2
The most abused drugs in prisons include cocaine, heroin, synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana, and prescription medications obtained illicitly.3
Figure 1. Prison Deaths From Drug/Alcohol Intoxication Have Risen Rapidly. In 2001, there were 35 deaths from drug/alcohol intoxication in state prisons. In 2018, there were 249 — a 611% change from 2001.
Situation
Correctional officers face numerous challenges when attempting to keep illicit substances and contraband out of their facilities. A combination of technologies are used to screen everything from visitors to packages and incoming mail. Mail can be particularly challenging to screen for several reasons. The sheer volume of mail coming into a facility makes searching every piece nearly impossible.
Collaborators on the outside are constantly developing new ways to smuggle contraband to inmates on the inside of these facilities. A tactic growing in popularity for smuggling synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs uses saturated paper. In this tactic, the drug is dissolved in a solvent and a letter, greeting card, or other piece of paper is soaked in the solution. Once the paper is completely saturated, it is allowed to dry, and packaged into an envelope as other normal pieces of mail. These drug saturated papers are often disguised as legal mail, which increases the risk of drug consumption in the prison population as correctional facilities are prohibited from opening and interrogating the contents of legal mail.
After the mail is received by the inmate inside the facility, it is often cut into smaller pieces which can then be consumed sublingually or via smoking. A single, one inch square of K2/Spice paper can be sold within the prison for as much as $400 each. Meaning a single sheet of this saturated paper is worth over $30,000.4
Solution
MX908 Identifying a Synthetic Cannabinoid Imbedded in Paper
At a correctional facility in the United States, officers processing incoming mail observed discoloration in different areas of paper, indicating a substance may have been dissolved into the paper. Officers flagged these pieces of mail on the suspicion of being impregnated with controlled substances and set them aside for further screening. While the officers possessed handheld Raman spectroscopy devices, these optical tools are not adept at identifying drugs imbedded in paper. The officers used trace sampling swabs from their MX908 to directly swab the discolored areas of the paper and envelope. No sample preparation was necessary and officers analyzed the sample using the MX908 Drug Hunter Mission Mode. In less than a minute, the MX908 returned a result for MDMB-4en-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid. With this evidence, corrections officers were able to seize the incoming mail and prevent it from entering the facility and subsequently being consumed by inmates.
Results
About MX908 in Correctional Facilities
MX908 leverages high-pressure mass spectrometry to deliver dramatically enhanced sensitivity and broader threat category coverage and has proven to be an exceptionally effective tool for drug detection in correctional facilities. The device's capability to rapidly detect a wide range of narcotics, including synthetic drugs, allows correctional staff to proactively address the evolving landscape of illicit substances by identifying drugs at very low, nanogram levels on difficult samples, such as drugs imbedded in paper.
By enhancing security measures and reducing the prevalence of contraband, the MX908 not only ensures the safety of correctional facilities but also supports rehabilitation efforts, ultimately contributing to a more secure and controlled correctional environment.
[post_title] => Identifying a Synthetic Cannabinoid Imbedded in Paper
[post_excerpt] => Read our latest case study on how MX908 aids correctional staff to proactively identify drugs at nanogram levels via trace detection on difficult samples, such as drugs imbedded in paper.
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The increasing use of drugs in prisons has become a concerning issue worldwide, posing significant challenges for both correctional facilities and society at large. A primary factor contributing to the rise in drug use within prisons is the ingenuity of inmates and collaborators on the outside. Despite rigorous security measures, contraband substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and opioids find their way into correctional facilities through creative methods like drones or legal mail. The demand for these substances remains high among inmates.
The increasing prevalence of drugs in correctional facilities is well documented:
There has been a 600% increase in inmate deaths in the United States due to drugs or alcohol from 2001- 2018, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.1 (See Figure 1)
Contraband demands higher prices in prison than on the street and is a contributing factor to availability in correctional facilities. The profit that can be generated by drug sales in prisons is reported to be up to four times greater than that in the community.2
The most abused drugs in prisons include cocaine, heroin, synthetic cannabinoids, marijuana, and prescription medications obtained illicitly.3
Figure 1. Prison Deaths From Drug/Alcohol Intoxication Have Risen Rapidly. In 2001, there were 35 deaths from drug/alcohol intoxication in state prisons. In 2018, there were 249 — a 611% change from 2001.
Situation
Correctional officers face numerous challenges when attempting to keep illicit substances and contraband out of their facilities. A combination of technologies are used to screen everything from visitors to packages and incoming mail. Mail can be particularly challenging to screen for several reasons. The sheer volume of mail coming into a facility makes searching every piece nearly impossible.
Collaborators on the outside are constantly developing new ways to smuggle contraband to inmates on the inside of these facilities. A tactic growing in popularity for smuggling synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs uses saturated paper. In this tactic, the drug is dissolved in a solvent and a letter, greeting card, or other piece of paper is soaked in the solution. Once the paper is completely saturated, it is allowed to dry, and packaged into an envelope as other normal pieces of mail. These drug saturated papers are often disguised as legal mail, which increases the risk of drug consumption in the prison population as correctional facilities are prohibited from opening and interrogating the contents of legal mail.
After the mail is received by the inmate inside the facility, it is often cut into smaller pieces which can then be consumed sublingually or via smoking. A single, one inch square of K2/Spice paper can be sold within the prison for as much as $400 each. Meaning a single sheet of this saturated paper is worth over $30,000.4
Solution
MX908 Identifying a Synthetic Cannabinoid Imbedded in Paper
At a correctional facility in the United States, officers processing incoming mail observed discoloration in different areas of paper, indicating a substance may have been dissolved into the paper. Officers flagged these pieces of mail on the suspicion of being impregnated with controlled substances and set them aside for further screening. While the officers possessed handheld Raman spectroscopy devices, these optical tools are not adept at identifying drugs imbedded in paper. The officers used trace sampling swabs from their MX908 to directly swab the discolored areas of the paper and envelope. No sample preparation was necessary and officers analyzed the sample using the MX908 Drug Hunter Mission Mode. In less than a minute, the MX908 returned a result for MDMB-4en-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid. With this evidence, corrections officers were able to seize the incoming mail and prevent it from entering the facility and subsequently being consumed by inmates.
Results
About MX908 in Correctional Facilities
MX908 leverages high-pressure mass spectrometry to deliver dramatically enhanced sensitivity and broader threat category coverage and has proven to be an exceptionally effective tool for drug detection in correctional facilities. The device's capability to rapidly detect a wide range of narcotics, including synthetic drugs, allows correctional staff to proactively address the evolving landscape of illicit substances by identifying drugs at very low, nanogram levels on difficult samples, such as drugs imbedded in paper.
By enhancing security measures and reducing the prevalence of contraband, the MX908 not only ensures the safety of correctional facilities but also supports rehabilitation efforts, ultimately contributing to a more secure and controlled correctional environment.
MX908® leverages high-pressure mass spectrometry™ (HPMS) to deliver dramatically enhanced sensitivity and broader threat category coverage. It provides identification across a broad range of drugs such as synthetic opioids, phenethylamines, cathinones, and cannabinoids.
RELIABLE TRACE ANALYSIS
MX908 provides trace identification (nanogram/invisible level) of many drugs commonly smuggled into corrections facilities. The ability to detect and identify invisible amounts of drugs allows the MX908 to defeat common smuggling tactics like spraying substances onto paper and mail. Accurate and rapid trace level identification also reduces exposure risk to officers and inmates by enabling exterior sampling of packages and ultimately keeping illicit drugs out of the facility.
MISSIONS:
Mail screening
Unknown powder identification
Overdose response
THREAT CATEGORIES:
Fentanyls/synthetic opioids
Phenethylamines
Cathinones
Cannabinoids
CWAs, Explosives, TICs, Precursors
MX908 ADVANTAGES:
Trace identification of many drugs including: fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methamphetamine, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids
MX908 provides excellent target coverage of common cannabinoids, cathinones, and phenethylamines often seized in corrections facilities
Mail screening for trace identification of drugs sprayed onto paper or delivered by mail
Increased officer safety by enabling non-intrusive sampling
Accurate and rapid results allow officers to act quickly and with confidence
Reachback analysis of mass spectra
MX908 Mission Modes enhance performance for specific mission objectives.
Drug Hunter is a mission mode for the detection of drugs such as: fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs, along with other high priority controlled substances
Drug Hunter unlocks detection capabilities for more than 2000 fentanyl variants.
This Mission Mode future-proofs your MX908 against the ever-changing Fentanyl analog landscape with a novel classification algorithm that sets MX908 apart from any library-based techniques.
SPECIFICATIONS
Size:
29.8 x 21.6 x 12.2 cm (11.8 x 8.5 x 4.8 in)
Power:
Replaceable, hot swappable batteries with >3 hours of continuous operation (2 spare batteries included)
Display:
Adjustable ultra-bright backlit display for direct sunlight and nighttime conditions, 12.7 cm (5 in)
Weight:
≤4.3 kg (9.5 lbs); varies based on module, accessories
MX908® leverages high-pressure mass spectrometry™ (HPMS) to deliver dramatically enhanced sensitivity and broader threat category coverage. It provides identification across a broad range of drugs such as synthetic opioids, phenethylamines, cathinones, and cannabinoids.
RELIABLE TRACE ANALYSIS
MX908 provides trace identification (nanogram/invisible level) of many drugs commonly smuggled into corrections facilities. The ability to detect and identify invisible amounts of drugs allows the MX908 to defeat common smuggling tactics like spraying substances onto paper and mail. Accurate and rapid trace level identification also reduces exposure risk to officers and inmates by enabling exterior sampling of packages and ultimately keeping illicit drugs out of the facility.
MISSIONS:
Mail screening
Unknown powder identification
Overdose response
THREAT CATEGORIES:
Fentanyls/synthetic opioids
Phenethylamines
Cathinones
Cannabinoids
CWAs, Explosives, TICs, Precursors
MX908 ADVANTAGES:
Trace identification of many drugs including: fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methamphetamine, synthetic cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids
MX908 provides excellent target coverage of common cannabinoids, cathinones, and phenethylamines often seized in corrections facilities
Mail screening for trace identification of drugs sprayed onto paper or delivered by mail
Increased officer safety by enabling non-intrusive sampling
Accurate and rapid results allow officers to act quickly and with confidence
Reachback analysis of mass spectra
MX908 Mission Modes enhance performance for specific mission objectives.
Drug Hunter is a mission mode for the detection of drugs such as: fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs, along with other high priority controlled substances
Drug Hunter unlocks detection capabilities for more than 2000 fentanyl variants.
This Mission Mode future-proofs your MX908 against the ever-changing Fentanyl analog landscape with a novel classification algorithm that sets MX908 apart from any library-based techniques.
SPECIFICATIONS
Size:
29.8 x 21.6 x 12.2 cm (11.8 x 8.5 x 4.8 in)
Power:
Replaceable, hot swappable batteries with >3 hours of continuous operation (2 spare batteries included)
Display:
Adjustable ultra-bright backlit display for direct sunlight and nighttime conditions, 12.7 cm (5 in)
Weight:
≤4.3 kg (9.5 lbs); varies based on module, accessories
This webinar introduces a cutting-edge solution for substance detection and identification in correctional facilities, combining the advanced capabilities of MX908 and MailSecur® technologies. As illicit substances continue to threaten the safety and security of these environments, the integration of these tools provides a powerful, comprehensive approach for law enforcement and corrections professionals.
RaySecur’s innovative terahertz (T-ray) imaging technology enables non-invasive detection of concealed substances within sealed mail and personal items, offering real-time visualization of potential threats. Complementing this capability, the MX908 employs high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) for precise substance identification. Together, these technologies deliver a seamless process: identifying, localizing, and accurately characterizing threats to enable rapid response and effective containment.
This integrated system addresses critical challenges in correctional facilities by improving the speed and accuracy of substance detection and identification. It enhances safety protocols, reduces security risks, and streamlines operations, resulting in a safer environment for staff and inmates while optimizing resources and efficiency.
Designed for corrections officers, facility administrators, and law enforcement professionals, this webinar provides an in-depth exploration of the MX908-MailSecur system. Participants will gain valuable insights into its technical capabilities, operational workflows, and the strategic benefits of adopting this innovative solution to strengthen substance control measures.
[post_title] => Improving Substance Detection and Identification in Correctional Facilities
[post_excerpt] => Watch this webinar to learn more about MX908 for Corrections Screening and pairing with RaySecur's MailSecur system for robust narcotics identification in correctional facilities.
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About this Webinar
Detecting and Identifying Narcotics that Infiltrate Corrections Facilities
It is difficult to detect and identify narcotics as they enter correctional facilities. Drugs like K2/spice and synthetic cathinones can be sprayed onto paper and discreetly hidden inside a piece of mail, or drugs can be thrown over barriers and into facilities. This webinar will cover the challenges related with drug use in correctional facilities, as well as the drug landscape.
Guidelines for protecting police and detainees from potential risks.
Case studies from prison facilities.
What Attendees Liked About this Presentation
“The speaker was very knowledgeable and presented the material so it was easy to understand.”
“Very informative. I got a lot of good information I previously did not have about the levels of the different drugs/substances that are dangerous/lethal as well as statistics on the level of use in institutions and the fatality rates.”
“Very informative, great information. Excellent presentation.”
Meet the Speaker
Jeremy VanAuker
Jeremy VanAuker is the field forensic application scientist for 908 Devices. He earned both his Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and is currently working on his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas. After earning his B.S., he briefly worked at an explosives manufacturing facility as a laboratory chemist. He then worked as firefighter/EMT-Basic in Joplin, Missouri for almost five years, specializing in hazardous-material response and technical rescue. Before joining 908 Devices, Jeremy was a forensic drug chemist II for almost nine years with the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, Texas, where he analyzed unknown materials for the presence or absence of controlled substances.
[post_title] => Trace Identification of Fentanyl, Synthetic Cathinones, and Other Drugs in Corrections
[post_excerpt] => Watch this on demand webinar to learn more about the challenges associated with the increased presence of drugs and how to protect officers and inmates from potential exposures.
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About this Webinar
This webinar introduces a cutting-edge solution for substance detection and identification in correctional facilities, combining the advanced capabilities of MX908 and MailSecur® technologies. As illicit substances continue to threaten the safety and security of these environments, the integration of these tools provides a powerful, comprehensive approach for law enforcement and corrections professionals.
RaySecur’s innovative terahertz (T-ray) imaging technology enables non-invasive detection of concealed substances within sealed mail and personal items, offering real-time visualization of potential threats. Complementing this capability, the MX908 employs high-pressure mass spectrometry (HPMS) for precise substance identification. Together, these technologies deliver a seamless process: identifying, localizing, and accurately characterizing threats to enable rapid response and effective containment.
This integrated system addresses critical challenges in correctional facilities by improving the speed and accuracy of substance detection and identification. It enhances safety protocols, reduces security risks, and streamlines operations, resulting in a safer environment for staff and inmates while optimizing resources and efficiency.
Designed for corrections officers, facility administrators, and law enforcement professionals, this webinar provides an in-depth exploration of the MX908-MailSecur system. Participants will gain valuable insights into its technical capabilities, operational workflows, and the strategic benefits of adopting this innovative solution to strengthen substance control measures.