Turkey: 18 grams of radioactive californium seized

5 suspects being investigated; radioactive californium used in both nuclear weapons and atomic power plants

By Zafer Goder

BOLU, Turkey (AA) - Police in Turkey’s Black Sea region have seized $72 million worth of radioactive californium, an element used in nuclear weapons and reactors, authorities said Saturday.

Some 18.1 grams (0.63 ounces) of radioactive californium was seized in a car by anti-smuggling and organized crime police, the province's governorship said in a statement.

According to the statement, the seized substance was sent to Turkey’s Turkish Atomic Energy Authority.

Five suspects are being investigated over the incident, it added.

Californium is a radioactive chemical element first synthesized at California University in 1950. It is considered highly dangerous.

*Writing by Burak Bir

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