American Science and Engineering, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASEI) (AS&E;^®), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced that the National Customs Agency of Bulgaria has debuted its proprietary Z Backscatter^™ Van (ZBV^™) in a ceremony on March 2^nd. AS&E;’s ZBV will inspect cargo and vehicles entering Bulgaria’s borders for contraband and threats. The ZBV quickly and safely finds contraband, including alcohol, tobacco, and other legal goods, smuggled to evade duties. With over 450 systems sold to over 90 customers in 47 countries to date, AS&E;’s ZBV is the number one selling non-intrusive mobile inspection system on the market.

“We are honored to have participated in this ceremony to introduce Bulgaria’s first ZBV,” said Robert Postle, AS&E;’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales. “The highly mobile and versatile ZBV has been successfully used by border officials to perform rapid inspections of vehicles, and offers quick and reliable manifest and cargo verification to secure Bulgaria’s borders.”

“The National Customs Agency of Bulgaria is committed to strict control on import tariff on goods,” said Vanyo Tanov, Director General of the National Customs Agency of Bulgaria. “Uncovering smuggled items result in increased income in the Bulgarian national budget. Customs officers will implement the ZBV into existing security protocols to facilitate effective scanning procedures.”

ZBV Proven Success Worldwide

ZBV success stories include seizures of large quantities of drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol, stowaways, and bulk explosives in war zones. One border security agency reported drug seizures in excess of 45,000 pounds in December, 2009 and January, 2010 using the ZBV at passenger vehicle checkpoints. Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers uncovered 1,484 cartons and 158 packets of smuggled cigarettes in a bus hidden under floorboards — with the duty-unpaid totaling about $79,000 (AsiaOne, March 2009). The ZBV was also used to interdict Singapore’s largest haul of illegal tobacco products in 2008 when a bus driver tried to smuggle them into the country.

AS&E; X-ray inspection systems are used by clients around the world to protect ports, borders, government agencies, military bases, and high-threat facilities. AS&E; systems for cargo, parcel, and personnel offer superior X-ray threat detection of plastic explosives and plastic and metal weapons, liquid explosives, dirty bombs, nuclear devices, and drugs. Please visit www.as-e.com.