CBRN / HazMat Training Blog

Fake bomb detectors highlight global safety concerns

Written by Argon Electronics on 17 May 2013

The global military market spent more than $1.6 trillion during 2012.  For the most part such spending is carefully regulated and purchases are stringently vetted to ensure compliance with vital safety legislation.  However, we were horrified to hear the recent news about the ‘golf ball detectors’ that have been sold around the world as fully operative bomb detectors.  What made this story even more worrying was the news that these had been sold to countries such as Iraq, Thailand and Romania to name just a few.

James McCormick was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week after being found guilty on three counts of fraud. Via his company, ADE, he sold more than 7,000 devices for prices ranging from $2,500 – $30,000 per unit for what were in effect, $50-a-piece golf ball detectors, amassing a fortune of over $55million dollars in the process. This case in particular highlights the need to remain vigilant but, fortunately, cases such as this are rare.  At this time, we must remember that there is great work going on to enhance safety.  The Counter Terror Expo Excellence Awards, for example, have recently highlighted some outstanding examples of products and services.  As an industry it is vital that we continue to build on such fine examples and achieve the best possible standards in response equipment.

Topics: Chemical Hazard Training, Radiation Hazard Training, Biological Hazard Training

Argon Electronics

Written by Argon Electronics