An apparatus, which may have an adjustable length, and system for detecting items, such as weapons of mass destruction, in cargo shipping containers or other types of containers. The apparatus comprises one or more detection means and can be releasably secured to a container handling means, such as a crane spreader bar, a top pick, a top handler, a transtainer and a straddle carrier, bar and/or cargo container. Data from the detection means can be transmitted to a local processing system and/or a central processing system.