Sting Operation Uncovers Radioactive Material Plot
Security officials in Georgia have detained three Chinese nationals accused of attempting to buy uranium in a covert transaction. The arrests took place in the capital, Tbilisi, after investigators intercepted the suspects during negotiations to purchase around two kilograms of the substance for approximately $400,000. Authorities confirmed that the seized uranium was safely secured and transferred to specialists for analysis.
Investigators Trace International Smuggling Network
According to Georgia’s State Security Service, the men had planned to move the uranium out of the country, using Russia as a transit route before delivering it to China. One of the suspects was reportedly residing in Georgia without legal status, while others coordinated the operation from abroad. Searches at multiple locations in Tbilisi and the Black Sea city of Batumi turned up evidence linking the group to the illegal trade attempt.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Security Concerns
Prosecutors have charged the trio under Georgia’s criminal code for the unlawful handling and attempted trafficking of radioactive substances, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Officials say the case highlights ongoing efforts to combat the global trade in nuclear materials, emphasizing the persistent threat such activity poses to international safety and nonproliferation standards.
