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Investigators Suspect Crime Ring Was Trying to Sell Weapons-Grade Uranium

IN THIS ISSUE: Officials say crime ring has uranium, US and Ukraine's security pledge, experts urge states on CTBT, Fukushima desolation worst since Nagasaki, Iran in talks with Russia on more nuclear plants. Fars News Agency No Progress in Russia-U.S. Missile Shield Talks

Published on September 27, 2011
 

Investigators Suspect Crime Ring Was Trying to Sell Weapons-Grade Uranium in North Africa

Desmond Butler | Associated Press

Moldova HEU

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 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of highly enriched uranium remains in criminal hands and is probably in another country.

Though that is a fraction of what is needed for a bomb, the investigation has provided fresh evidence of a black market in nuclear material probably taken from poorly secured stockpiles in the former Soviet Union.

U.S. authorities have been aiding the Moldovans in the international search for a Russian believed to be the ringleader of the smuggling operation. They also are searching for a North African man who they believe attempted to buy the uranium in Moldova before fleeing the country. Full Article   



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