The National Customs Service incorporated a new scanner truck with artificial intelligence and autonomous operation into the control system this Tuesday (January 13, 2026). port of Iquique, strategically located in northern Chile. The incorporation is part of the strengthening of oversight against smuggling and organized crime in the Tarapacá Region.
According to the official information provided to Customs News, the inspection system It operates under the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which implies that exposure to ionizing radiation is kept as low as reasonably possible, in compliance with the safety standards established by the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN).
The equipment was delivered by the Undersecretary of Public Security, Rafael Collado, and the National Director of Customs, Alejandra Arriaza, and required an investment of $3.200 billion, intended to reinforce the technological capabilities of customs control in one of the main points of entry and exit of goods in the country.
During the presentation, the Undersecretary of Public Security, Rafael Collado He emphasized that “Customs is a strategic ally of the public security system, and this new scanner incorporates concrete capabilities for the detection of complex crimes linked to organized crime.”In that regard, he noted that the equipment joins two other scanner trucks already operating in the region, as part of an inter-institutional strategy based on technology and evidence.
For its part, the National Director of Customs, Alejandra Arriaza, He highlighted that the new system “This completes a total of nine scanner trucks acquired during this administration, six of them financed with resources from the Northern Border Plan and the National Plan against Organized Crime”The official emphasized that The incorporation of artificial intelligence with progressive learning allows for optimized image analysis and strengthen decision-making, without affecting the fluidity or continuity of logistics operations.
He also highlighted the operational value of mobile equipment and its impact on risk management: “The autonomy and flexibility of these trucks allows us to deploy them directly to the highest risk points, maintaining the element of surprise in the inspections.”.
According to official information, the operational results support the technological investment. During 2025, the scanner trucks deployed in the Tarapacá Region inspected 19.227 vehicles, detecting 114 cases of smuggling and other illicit activities, with a customs value exceeding US$13 million.
The detections were mainly concentrated in the border crossings and outposts of Colchane, El Loa and Quillagua, strategic border and road control points, located in areas of high logistical sensitivity, used both for the international transit of goods and for the control of inland routes that connect the north of the country with the main consumption centers.
The following are the main technical details of the new scanner truck incorporated in Iquique and the operational impact of the equipment already used in Tarapacá during 2025, according to data provided by the National Customs Service.
Key information about the new scanner truck
| 🔴Item | (I.e.Detail |
| Kind of team | Mobile non-intrusive inspection system |
| Chassis | Volvo truck model FM |
| Manufacturer | Nuctech (China) |
| Córdoba | MT1213 DE |
| Inspection technology | High-end X-rays (ionizing radiation) |
| Penetration capacity | It penetrates steel and distinguishes between organic and inorganic materials. |
| Artificial Intelligence | AI, with image library and progressive learning |
| Featured Features | Recognition of weapons, explosives and concealed goods |
| Operations | Remote and with complete autonomy |
| Mobility | Height and scanning angle adjustment |
| Regulatory authority | Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) |
| Accredited operators in Iquique | 71 current + 28 in the accreditation process |
| Investment | $ 3.200 millones |
Results of the scanner trucks – Tarapacá 2025
| 🔴Indicator / Control Point | (I.e.Vehicles scanned | 🔴Procedures / detections | 🔵Customs value involved (USD) |
| Total Tarapacá Region | 19.227 | 114 | + 13.000.000 |
| mattress (Border with Bolivia) | 2.731 | 38 | 5.200.000 |
| El Loa Advanced | 18 | 2.400.000 | |
| Quillagua Outpost | 57 | 5.300.000 |
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