Gulluni touts National Guard’s donation of TruNarc deviceDate: 8/9/2023 SPRINGFIELD — Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced the procurement and donation of a TruNarc device by the Massachusetts National Guard to aid the fight against illegal narcotics.
Gulluni was joined at an Aug. 3 press conference by Massachusetts National Guard Adjutant General Gary Keith. The device allows officers to field test and determine the chemical composition of suspected narcotics on site.
TruNarc device can detect naturally and synthetically produced opioids. The district attorney noted the strong collaboration dating back to 2015 between his office and the National Guard, which has bolstered efforts to tackle drug trafficking in the region.
The National Guard has supported local law enforcement, providing approximately $40,000 worth of equipment in recent years.
“This equipment has helped us and many local officers keep streets and citizens safe, and it’s helped to protect them from harm as they patrol our neighborhoods and investigate crimes,” Gulluni said.
He underscored the device’s capability to enhance the safety of officers and the public by quickly identifying the type and potential lethality of seized narcotics. “The TruNarc device will allow members of my narcotics Task Force to field test suspected narcotics on site to determine the chemical makeup of the substance,” Gulluni added.
According to Gulluni, 93% of toxicology reports in fatal overdoses revealed synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, showcasing the device’s necessity in curbing the rampant use of synthetic drugs.
“The TruNarc device represents an approximately $30,000 contribution to the Hampden County District attorney’s office to aid in our efforts to promote public safety and combat the illicit trafficking of narcotics in the county,” Gulluni said.
Describing the situation as a fight, he highlighted the ongoing loss of lives to addiction, especially opioids. He remains focused on removing these drugs from the streets of Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee.
“We’re very proud of this relationship we struck early in my tenure. It has borne fruit for Hampden County in our fight against opioids,” Gulluni said.
The district attorney reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the fight against drug addiction and trafficking and praised the partnership with the National Guard.
“We’re going to keep fighting, and we’re resourced to do so,” he said.
While TruNarc can identify the chemical makeup of a suspected drug, the information cannot be used as evidence in a court proceeding, Gulluni stressed.
Keith emphasized the National Guard’s long-standing counter-drug program and relationship with law enforcement and the legal system in the region and across the commonwealth.
He reiterated the practical applications of the TruNarc device, saying, “What the TruNarc is going to do is allow our law enforcement experts to analyze right out in the field what type of narcotics are plaguing the streets throughout Hampden County.”
Keith also shed light on the National Guard’s widespread support across the commonwealth, offering logistics, aviation and analytical support to various law enforcement agencies.
“We know Fentanyl in the streets. It’s not a drug as we look at it as a weapon,” Keith said.
Law enforcement agencies now leverage the TruNarc analyzer, a handheld device using Raman spectroscopy, to identify narcotics, often without direct sample contact rapidly.
Nondestructive testing allows risk reduction and evidence preservation. An updated onboard library identifies various substances, making it a vital tool in combating drug trafficking.
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