IAEA reports latest trafficking statistics
Fourteen cases of illicit trafficking of radioactive materials and nuclear sources were recorded in 2006, according to the latest information released by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) Office of Nuclear Security.
'Illicit trafficking' incidents cover illegal possession, movement or attempts to illegally trade in nuclear materials, according to the IAEA. The majority of the cases involved sealed radioactive sources, but cases involving natural uranium, depleted uranium and thorium were also reported. One incident, reported in 2007 but occurring in 2006, involved the seizure of 79.5 g of 89%-enriched uranium.
The information is from the IAEA's Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB), which was established in 1995 and holds data from 1993 onwards. It covers a broad scope of information and is the Agency's tracking system on illicit trafficking incidents and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials. In addition to incidents involving illegal trade and movements of materials it covers the loss of materials and discovery of uncontrolled materials, plus 'scams' where non-radioactive materials are being offered for sale purporting to be radioactive or nuclear.
In total, 150 incidents occurred in 2006 and were reported to the ITDB. As well as the 14 illicit trafficking cases, these included 85 incidents of theft, loss or misrouting of materials and 51 incidents of other 'unauthorized activities' with no direct evidence of criminal behaviour, such as the recovery of sources, discovery of 'orphan' sources and detection of materials disposed of in an unauthorized way.
The number of incidents involving unauthorized possession and related criminal activities has remained more or less stable at around 16 incidents per year since 1994, the IAEA noted. Nevertheless, the report says, these incidents show a persistent problem with the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials as well as theft, loss and other unauthorized activities.
Most incidents of trafficking of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and plutonium over the lifetime of the database have involved very small quantities, and appear to have been supply-driven with no pre-identified buyer. Profit-seeking, rather than malicious intent, appears to be the principal motive. For cases of theft, radioactive sources and devices in which they are used may be attractive because of their perceived high resale value or the scrap metal value of the materials from which they are made.
Further information
International Atomic Energy Agency
WNA's Safeguards to prevent nuclear proliferation information paper
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