Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Turkey: Smugglers Caught With Cesium, Gems On Georgian Border

19:59, June 23, 2015

Border guards at the Sarpi checkpoint between Turkey and Georgia Friday detained two Georgian nationals for allegedly carrying 1.2 kg of cesium, a highly radioactive substance that can be used to build “dirty bombs.” 

The suspects were also carrying a mercury-like substance, and nine gemstones in their luggage. The pair were caught after setting off the alarm on an x-ray body scanner.

Turkish press reports that the confiscated materials have a market value of roughly US$ 2.5 million. Dirty bombs work by disseminating radioactive material like shrapnel over a wide area.

Cesium can also used for scientific, industrial, and medical purposes. The seized chemicals were delivered to the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority.

Armenian News

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