Czech Police Seize Radioactive Materials

Czech police Friday arrested two Slovak residents who attempted to sell them about 7 pounds of radioactive material, according to the Associated Press (see GSN, Nov. 3).

Initial tests of the seized material indicated traces of thorium and uranium, according to Pavel Pittermann, a spokesman for the Czech nuclear safety office. The head of the office, Dana Drabova, said the material probably originated from the former Soviet Union.

The undercover arrest occurred in the city of Brno, about 125 miles southeast of Prague, police spokeswoman Blanka Kosinova said in a statement. The two suspects could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of illegal production and possession of radioactive material, AP reported (Karel Janicek, Associated Press/Washington Post, Nov. 16).

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