375 Pounds of Radioactive Material Seized in Ukraine

An apparent attempt to sell nearly 375 pounds of radioactive material that could be used in a “dirty bomb” has been foiled by Ukrainian authorities, the Associated Press reported yesterday (see GSN, Feb. 25).

Ukrainian police and state security agents received information that two men in Kiev were preparing to pay $120,000 for two containers of cesium 137. They seized the containers, arrested three men and detained a number of other people around Ukraine, AP reported.

Authorities did not say where the cesium came from or how the three suspects were involved in the alleged sale attempt.

Cesium 137 can be found in photoelectric batteries and vacuum valves, AP reported. It is believed likely to be a good material for a dirty bomb, which combines radioactive material with conventional explosives (Alexander Vasovic, Associated Press/Yahoo!News, May 6).

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