Suspected uranium smugglers detained in Turkey

Two people suspected of smuggling radioactive materials were detained in Istanbul last week, police forces said on Wednesday. Adding that around 173 gr of moderately enriched uranium was seized in an operation last wee in Istanbul. "Two suspects were arrested on August 11 in possession of 173 grammes of uranium in a joint operation by the police and the secret service," said a police source who requested anonymity. The Uranium was not pure enough to be used in either weapon-making or energy production, officials said. Names and nationalities of the detainees have not been released yet. According to the Aksam newspaper, the suspects were caught as they were trying to sell the uranium, which was believed to have come from Russia, to undercover police for $7 million. An analysis of the seized uranium showed that it was "moderately enriched," with 17 percent uranium-235 and the rest uranium-238 with impurities, according to the police statement. A statement issued by the ministry of energy said that the material did not pose a radiation threat to the public or the environment and that it could not be used to make weapons or produce energy. The ministry added that the seized uranium had a market value of $1,500. Â