Explosives/Radioactive Materials Thefts

[Petronas]

Ukraine secret service seizes uranium at airport
Thursday, March 03, 2005

KIEV: Ukraine’s SBU security service arrested a man at Kiev’s airport who had a case containing radioactive uranium-238 in his car, the Emergencies Ministry said on Tuesday. It said the man was detained at Boryspil airport, Ukraine’s main international gateway, with 582 grams of uranium. It did not say when the arrest took place or whether he had been attempting to leave the country. “SBU officers detained the person who was moving a case with a radioactive substance - Uranium-238 - in his car,” the ministry said in a statement. It said ministry specialists had seized the case. A ministry official said an investigation had been launched. SBU officials were not immediately available for comment. Depleted uranium, where uranium-238 is normally found, can theoretically be used to make nuclear “dirty bombs”, but it is often used in gun ammunition and armour because of its high density.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_3-3-2005_pg4_10

[Petronas]

NYPD Asks Companies to Monitor Chemicals
Aug 11, 2006

A team of New York detectives have stepped up their partnership with thousands of businesses asked to monitor their sales of chemicals in an effort to turn the private sector into an early warning system for terror plots. Those participating "are manufacturers or service providers whose products have been used, or the use had been contemplated, in actual or planned terrorist attacks," police spokesman Paul Browne said.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly responding to reports that terrorists sought to down jetliners using explosives made from the solvent acetone and highly concentrated peroxide directed intelligence officers to remind manufacturers and vendors "to report any anomalies or suspicious orders involving their products," Browne said.

Since the operation began about five years ago, detectives have contacted 25,000 businesses under the program, called Operation Nexus. Investigators urge them to report any thefts or shady purchases. The department also has asked building managers to be on the lookout for anything unusual involving chemicals, including large or multiple containers that turn up in trash bins.

Based on intelligence that terrorists have considered blowing up bridges using scuba divers, investigators also have reached out to dive shops. Self-storage facilities have been contacted and encouraged to report anyone stashing away weaponry or explosives. In the past several months, the nation's largest police department also has held a series of briefings for business owners, private security officials and landlords about the specter of homegrown terrorists using homemade bombs.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2304055

[Petronas]

PHILIPPINES: BOMB-MAKING CHEMICALS SEIZED IN THE SOUTH
Aug-23-06 16:07

Security forces in the Philippines have found 10 sacks of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in the manufacture of bombs, in southern Philippines. The authorities said on Wednesday they believe the Abu Sayyaf militant group - which the United States says has links to al-Qaeda - wanted to use the chemicals to make explosives. The find by the Filipino army comes just over a week after the seizure of 6,000 blasting caps from a person on board a ferry in the southern island of Jolo, according to a report by the Philippines News Agency (PNA). The authorities also said that the blasting caps were similar to those used by the Abu Sayyaf in previous bombings in Zamboanga City and Jolo. ...

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Terrorism&loid=8.0.333187086&par=0

[Petronas]

Philippines (Country threat level - 4): The Philippine coast guard seized more than 990 lb/450 kg of ammonium nitrate, which is commonly used in making homemade bombs, from a ferry docked in Zamboanga City during the morning of 18 September 2006. The chemicals were hidden inside of the ferry's cargo hold underneath a shipment of fish. Police officers arrested the ferry's crewmembers. Although an investigation into the incident continues, government officials believe that the confiscation of the chemicals thwarted a major terrorist attack. No additional information is currently available.

http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/HotSpots.asp