The United States on Wednesday donated two mobile scanners to Costa Rica to bolster security at the country’s main border crossings and strengthen efforts against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

The scanners were installed at two key checkpoints: one at Peñas Blancas canton, in Guanacaste province, along the northern border with Nicaragua and another at Paso Canoas canton, in Puntarenas province, near the southern border with Panama.

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Security (MSP) stated that the equipment was provided through the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and is valued at more than $2.5 million.

“The primary objective of this equipment is to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime,” the ministry said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Melinda Hildebrand and Public Security Minister Mario Zamora attended scanner donation ceremony.

Authorities said the high-tech systems support the Operation Sovereignty program,  a strategy aimed at modernizing inspection and control capabilities across Costa Rica’s land, maritime and air borders.

The scanners use low-energy X-ray technology to conduct safe and efficient inspections of cargo and vehicles. The systems can detect a wide range of illicit items, including drugs, weapons, ammunition, explosives and cash.

Each unit also includes a portable scanner to complement non-intrusive inspections and enhance the screening of cargo and goods. “Its technology enables the detection of narcotics, money, explosives, ammunition, weapons and other illicit materials,” authorities said.

The systems are equipped with autonomous power capabilities and can be deployed to strategic locations based on operational needs and police intelligence.

To ensure proper use, 20 Border Police officers received specialized training.