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Uranium season: 2nd group of isotope smugglers busted in Georgia in 10 days | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Georgia’s security service says it has detained a group of five Georgian citizens, alleged to have been trying to sell radioactive Uranium for $3 million. The group was caught in possession of Uranium-238 and Uranium-235, Reuters reports. | Georgia’s security service says it has detained a group of five Georgian citizens, alleged to have been trying to sell radioactive Uranium for $3 million. The group was caught in possession of Uranium-238 and Uranium-235, Reuters reports. |
"Officers of Georgia's State Security Service detained five Georgian citizens, who were trying to sell uranium," security service investigator Savle Motiashvili said. | "Officers of Georgia's State Security Service detained five Georgian citizens, who were trying to sell uranium," security service investigator Savle Motiashvili said. |
"The detainees were planning to sell nuclear material, Uranium-238 and Uranium-235, weighing 1.66 kilograms for $3 million," he added. | "The detainees were planning to sell nuclear material, Uranium-238 and Uranium-235, weighing 1.66 kilograms for $3 million," he added. |
“They were arrested when they were moving the radioactive material to a flat in Kobuleti,” a member of the Georgian security service told a press conference, according to RIA Novosti. | |
The arrests come less than two weeks after the country’s security service detained six individuals who were trying to sell Uranium-238. Three Georgians and three Armenian citizens were arrested. The group was hoping to sell the weapons-grade material for $200 million, Motiashvili said at the time. | The arrests come less than two weeks after the country’s security service detained six individuals who were trying to sell Uranium-238. Three Georgians and three Armenian citizens were arrested. The group was hoping to sell the weapons-grade material for $200 million, Motiashvili said at the time. |
Motiashvili added that a radioactive proof container for transporting the Uranium-238 was found at the apartment of one of those arrested on Thursday. | Motiashvili added that a radioactive proof container for transporting the Uranium-238 was found at the apartment of one of those arrested on Thursday. |
"Given the gamma ray emission, the identity of the source and radiological expertise report, the seized substance endangers life and health," he said, as cited by Reuters. | "Given the gamma ray emission, the identity of the source and radiological expertise report, the seized substance endangers life and health," he said, as cited by Reuters. |
Uranium-238 is a highly radioactive substance and an important component in the manufacturing of armor-piercing weapons. | Uranium-238 is a highly radioactive substance and an important component in the manufacturing of armor-piercing weapons. |
In January, Georgia’s security service said it had foiled a plot to sell radioactive cesium. The agency said three men were arrested in the capital Tbilisi for trying to peddle Cesium-137 for $100,000. | |
Cesium-137, obtained as a by-product from nuclear reactors, can be utilized for medical and industrial purposes. However, it can also potentially be used by terrorists who want to create a dirty bomb as it would disperse deadly radiation after detonation. | |
Uranium-238 is the most common natural uranium isotope. Although it can’t undergo a nuclear chain reaction, it can be used to produce plutonium 239, which can be exploited for the production of nuclear weapons. |
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