One of these security systems is a sniffer drone equipped with various sensors, which can detect, among other things, XTC substances. With this sniffer drone, real-time measurements can be taken remotely. This is particularly crucial at times when there are excessive concentrations of dangerous substances in the air. With the drone, these can be safely detected remotely, without exposing the investigating officer, and the drone can also instantly map the extent of the dispersal area. The drone can also take a sample as possible evidence.

In early March, the sniffer drone was deployed at a drug dump in Schalkwijk. Manure pits that were causing excessive odour nuisance were found to have been a dumping site for drug waste. Measurements showed that no harmful substances could be found in the air at a distance of 20 metres from the manure pits. However, the question remained whether the contaminated manure had been applied to the land. The sniffer drone developed within UIVER was therefore used to investigate whether harmful waste was in the air above the land. In real time and remotely, the sniffer drone helped detectives map drug waste. The perpetrators have not yet been caught, but using the data collected with the help of the sniffer drones, the search continues for leads.

More on UIVER: www.space53.eu/projecten/7/proeftuinproject-uiver/