nuclear-news

Criminals in possession of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU)

US:Officials say crime ring has uranium,  AAP International News  27 Sep 2011,  WASHINGTON,  – Investigators following up on a nuclear sting in Eastern Europe suspect that a crime syndicate was trying to sell weapons-grade uranium to buyers in North Africa.

Officials in Moldova, a former Soviet republic, told The Associated Press that at least one kilogram of highly enriched uranium, or HEU, remains in criminal hands and probably is in another country.
The investigation has provided fresh evidence of a black market in nuclear material that probably was taken from poorly secured stockpiles in the former Soviet Union.
US authorities have been aiding the Moldovans in the search for a Russian, believed to be the ringleader of the smuggling operation. They also are searching for a North African buyer who fled Moldova. —http://aap.newscentre.com.au/acf/110927/library/nuclear_issues/26771097.html

October 3, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | EUROPE, safety