Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sting nets fourth nuclear trader

Steve Crawshaw
Tuesday 16 August 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

BONN - German police said yesterday they had arrested another man in connection with nuclear smuggling - just days after the apparently unrelated arrest of three men in Munich, for bringing more than 300g of weapons-grade plutonium on a flight from Moscow, writes Steve Crawshaw.

The latest arrest - which took place last week, but was only revealed yesterday - was in the north German town of Bremen, during another sting operation. A 34-year-old man was arrested while handing over a capsule containing less than 1mg of pure plutonium as a sample of his wares. He was offering a total of 68g and there were fears yesterday that it might still be 'floating around' north Germany, unaccounted for.

Politicians from all sides have emphasised the threat of nuclear trading. Johannes Gerster, a senior figure in the ruling Christian Democrats, talked of Germany as an an international clearing-house for nuclear smuggling. He warned: 'In this area, it really is five past midnight.'

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in