CBP Wants AI-Powered ‘Quantum Sensors’ for Finding Fentanyl in Cars

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is paying General Dynamics to create a prototype of “quantum sensors” as well as an “artificial intelligence-enabled database” designed “to detect illicit objects and substances (such as fentanyl) in vehicles, containers and other devices,” according to a contract justification published last week in a federal register.

“This database and sensor project will integrate advanced quantum and classical sensing technologies with artificial intelligence and ultimately deploy proven concepts and end products anywhere in the CBP environment,” the justification document states. “As part of this requirement, CBP will take additional steps to improve its ability to detect and thereby significantly reduce the harm of illicit contraband entering the United States of America, thereby enhancing national security.”

The document redacts the name of the company developing the prototype; However, contract details included in the Federal Register entry reveal that the justification is for a $2.4 million contract with General Dynamics, which has been public since December 2025.

CBP and General Dynamics did not respond to WIRED’s requests for comment.

CBP’s request for a prototype of “quantum sensors” with an AI database – which comes as part of a widespread campaign within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “to support the adoption and scale of AI technologies,” according to a policy memorandum released last year – involves a real and growing area of ​​scientific and technological research.

Last week’s justification did not go into detail about what methods its “quantum sensors” would use or what information the AI ​​database would store and analyze. However, it provides guidance on the detection methods considered by the agency.

The document claims that CBP conducted a market survey from April to October 2025. In July, CBP issued a request for information seeking a supplier for exactly 35 “Gemini” portable analyzers, sold by Thermo Fisher Scientific, designed to identify unknown chemicals and narcotics.

DHS also tested the Gemini in previous years, according to reports released in 2021 and 2023. The July application — which says the devices would be used to identify substances like fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam and MDMA — makes no mention of artificial intelligence or a database.

“The detection equipment will be used by CBP officers in non-intrusive testing to detect a wide range of narcotics, controlled substances, unknown substances, and general organic materials,” the application states, noting that the agency “continues to seize an increasing number of opioids at the nation’s borders.”

The July request for information claims that Gemini analyzers use “Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),” which measures the amount of infrared light absorbed by a sample, and “Raman spectroscopy,” which measures how light scatters across a sample’s surface when a laser is aimed at it.

Last week’s contract justification said the agency found a U.S. company that creates a “portable analyzer” to identify dangerous chemicals, but claimed it “cannot detect fentanyl.” It’s unclear whether this was referring to Gemini or one of the more than 10 other devices being tested by DHS in 2021 and 2023. But when reached for comment, Thermo Fisher Scientific said its Gemini analyzers “are designed to detect fentanyl.”

It is also unclear whether the General Dynamics prototype can use FTIR or Raman spectroscopy. But a 2024 working paper on a method for detecting fentanyl in the laboratory (unrelated to CBP, General Dynamics or Thermo Fisher Scientific) notes that “portable Raman spectrometers” and other hand-held devices — while convenient, fast and inexpensive — can “have difficulty detecting fentanyl” and can be prone to “false positive and false negative results.”

Although it remains ambiguous what exactly last week’s rationale for mentioning “quantum” sensors was referring to, there are methods of detecting fentanyl based on quantum chemistry. The 2024 paper, for example, explains how “quantum dots” and fluorescent dyes can be used to detect fentanyl and 58 of its analogues.