Bulgaria Foils Nuclear Smuggling Plot

Bulgarian authorities have detained a man suspected of trying to smuggle into Romania a substance that could be used in a radiological “dirty bomb,” Reuters reported yesterday (see GSN, June 28).

“Police found a bag with 3.4 kilograms of hafnium in the car. The substance was transported as a metal, and in this condition it is not radioactive and is not dangerous,” Bulgarian police said in a statement.

Police on Saturday detained four men — three Romanian nationals and one Bulgarian — attempting to cross into Romania from northern Bulgaria, according to Reuters.

“The three Romanians were released after the Bulgarian said the rare metal was his,” a police spokeswoman said.

Hafnium is used to develop nuclear fuel rods and could be used in a radiological weapon, Reuters reported.

“It can be used as a material for rockets and even for a bomb, but also for radio tubes and televisions, so it is dual-usage,” said Marina Nizamska, head of the accident-planning department for Bulgaria’s Nuclear Regulation Agency.

Police suspected the involvement of organized crime, Reuters reported (Reuters, Sept. 19).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.