Radioactive metal heading from Kazakhstan to Germany seized, returned to sender

Nov. 5, 2008

Abstract:

On 28 October 2008, the customs at the Zhanazhol checkpoint in Northern Kazakhstan detained a car with a trailer carrying 20 tons of scrap stainless steel that emitted gamma-radiation 1.4 times higher than the normal level. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, the scrap metal was en route to Germany, shipped by the Almaty-based Radar company to Scholz-Recycling company.[1]

On 4 November 2008, the shipment was delivered back to sender. The Ministry and media reports did not provide any details on the source of radiation. {Entered GM}

Abstract Number: 20090020
Headline: Radioactive metal heading from Kazakhstan to Germany seized, returned to sender
Date: 5 November 2008
Bibliography: "Radioaktivnyy gruz, zaderzhannyy na tamozhennom postu ‘Zhanazhol’ SKO dostavlen otpravitelyu," Gazeta.KZ, 5 November 2008; http://www.nuclear.ru/rus/press/other_news/2111415/.
Material: Waste/Scams/Contaminated Materials

Source:

[1] “Operativnaya obstanovka na 30.10.08” [“The Situation as of October 30, 2008”], Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 30 October 2008, http://www.emer.kz/conditions/archiv/detail.php?ID=3049.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, or agents. Copyright © 2011 by MIIS.

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This article is part of a collection examining reported incidents of nuclear or radioactive materials trafficking in or originating from the Newly Independent States.