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Turkish security forces seized a substance believed to be highly radioactive californium, used in nuclear and medical research, hidden inside a shoe during a traffic stop in Kutahya province, leading to the arrest of a suspect.
Public Security Branch teams from Kutahya Provincial Police Directorate stopped a suspicious vehicle at the entrance of the Kutahya-Tavsanli highway during a routine inspection.
During the search, officers discovered 7.15 grams of a golden-yellow substance believed to be californium in a transparent plastic container hidden inside a shoe belonging to driver B.G. in the rear section of the vehicle.
Teams from the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) Directorate determined that the seized substance does not emit radiation.
The material was subsequently sent to the Türkiye Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Institute for detailed analysis and verification.
The lack of immediate radiation detection suggests the substance may require further testing to confirm its composition and potential nuclear properties. Following the detention of suspect B.G., who was identified as a baker working in Tavsanli, authorities conducted a search of his residence. The search revealed an unlicensed pistol and numerous ammunition rounds.
The discovery of additional illegal materials expanded the scope of the investigation beyond the suspected nuclear material possession.
After completing procedures at the police station, suspect B.G. was brought before a magistrate and subsequently remanded in custody pending further investigation.
This is not the first time a substance thought to be radioactive californium has been found in Türkiye. In 2019, there were two separate findings in Türkiye, one in Bolu and the other in Diyarbakir and one more in 2018 in Ankara and more.
Californium is a synthetic, radioactive chemical element with atomic number 98, discovered in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley.
The element is one of the most expensive substances on Earth, with californium-252 costing up to $27 million per gram.
Only a few grams of californium-252 are produced annually worldwide, primarily at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and a facility in Russia.
The extreme cost stems from the complex production process, which takes nearly two years to complete.
Due to its high radioactivity, californium requires stringent safety protocols including specialized shielding, protective equipment, and certified transportation containers.
The material emits alpha particles and strong neutron radiation, making proper handling crucial for safety.
Californium-252 is used in various applications including neutron activation analysis, nuclear reactor startup, and certain medical treatments, making its illegal possession a serious security concern.
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