Finance Minister Colm Imbert has commissioned two large-scale mobile x-ray scanners at the Port of Port of Spain.

The scanners are expected to strengthen Customs & Excise border security operations and capabilities.

According to the Minister, they can scan up to 25 container trucks per hour in the mobile scanning mode, and up to 100 trucks per hour in the pass through mode.

He added that a key advantage was the scanner’s mobility: when deployed at a new location, it can be ready for scanning within 30 minutes of arrival.

In all, Mr Imbert said four scanners have been ordered at a cost of $87 million: in addition to the two at Port of Spain, two will be deployed at the Port of Point Lisas.