Reported Incidents of Trafficking Up in 2006

In 2006, 150 incidents of unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radiological materials were reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Of these incidents, 14 involved unauthorized possession and related criminal activities, including attempts to sell such materials on the black market. Other incidents entailed thefts, losses, misrouted material, and other unauthorized activities.

The reported incidents were included in the 2007 update of the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB), which was released Sept. 11. The ITDB is a collection of information regarding incidents of illicit trafficking and unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials provided or confirmed by states. There are currently 96 states participating in the ITDB program.

The ITDB notes that the number of reported incidents of theft or loss “increased significantly” in 2006. It explains, however, that this increase “reflects improvements in reporting procedures rather than an actual increase in reported incidents.” The majority of the reported incidents involved sealed industrial radioactive sources, but there were some reported incidents involving small quantities of nuclear materials, including natural uranium, depleted uranium, and thorium. Two incidents involved highly enriched uranium (HEU), which at sufficient enrichment levels can be used as fissile material in nuclear weapons. German authorities reported in March 2006 that trace amounts of HEU were detected on scrap metal entering a steel mill. A more alarming incident was reported by Georgia in February 2006 in which individuals were arrested attempting to sell nearly 80 grams of 89 percent-enriched HEU. Uranium enriched to 90 percent and higher is considered weapons-grade. The IAEA says that 25 kilograms of HEU is sufficient for a nuclear weapon, while others estimate that as little as half that amount is needed.

Since 2000, no incidents have been reported involving plutonium, the other fissile material commonly used in nuclear weapons.

The report also indicated that about 27 percent of the 275 reported incidents to date involving unauthorized possession and related criminal activities occurred in 1993-1994 and thereafter reported incidents averaged about 16 each year. The 14 reported for 2006 falls just below this average. A total of 1,080 incidents have been reported to the agency between 1993 and 2006.