International connections detected in uranium smuggling case

29.06.2011 13:06
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The six persons arrested on Monday in central Chisinau on suspicion of being involved in smuggling uranium are believed to be part of a criminal group with international connections, announced the Anti-Fraud Department of the Moldovan Interior Ministry, Info-Prim Neo reports. Vitalie Briceag, the Department's head, told a news conference on Wednesday that four of the arrested persons are from western-side Moldova and two others from the Transnistrian region, including one with a Russian citizenship. It is believed that the radioactive substance they were carrying was destined for a certain Islamic country. The investigation established that Moldova was just a transit country. Other details on the country of origin, the exact destination and on other members of the criminal group are kept secret to avoid compromising the investigation. The uranium was being transited in a sealed container, which was sent to a specialized laboratory that will examine and weigh the substance. Following searches at the suspects' addresses, police revealed reference information on different types of weapons, including of mass destruction. Over 100 Interior Ministry staff were involved in the operation.