Illicit nuclear trafficking problem

Source: UNIC

 

The United Nations has labeled the theft, illicit trafficking and loss of nuclear and other radioactive materials "A Persistent Problem ".

Last year over 250 incidents of unauthorized possession, theft or loss of radioactive materials were reported to the UN International Atomic Energy Agency's illicit trafficking database (ITDB).

Of the 150 incidents which occurred in 2006, 14 were connected to unauthorized possession and related criminal activates and can be described as illicit trafficking.

The majority of these incidents involved sealed radioactive sources and the materials included natural uranium, depleted uranium and thorium.

85 of the incidents reported in 2006 involved misrouting, loss and theft of nuclear or other radioactive materials. The theft of such materials can be evidence of illicit trafficking and are signs of control and security system lapses. In about 73% of the cases, the misplaced or stolen materials have not been recovered.

"Where information on motives is available, it indicates that profit-seeking is the principle motive behind such events. Some cases however showed indication of malicious intent," The report said.

RK/GM