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RADIOACTIVE GOODS PREVENTED FROM CROSSING RUSSIA'S BORDER

RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, March 23 (RIA Novosti) - Some 200 cases of goods and transport with an increased level of ionizing radiation traveling across the Russian border were revealed in 2004. This was reported on Wednesday by the press service of the Federal Customs Service.

According to a press service official, 80% of such cases dealt with importing goods with increased radiation to Russia, while 20%, with exporting.

"There is positive dynamics in detecting such cases. Thus, for example, in comparison with the present figure, in 1995, when efficient technical means were lacking, only four cases of goods and vehicles with increased ionizing radiation traveling across the border were revealed," he said.

The source said the detection technical means reveal 95% of cases of illegal movement of goods and vehicles with increased ionizing radiation; the remaining 5% are revealed when considering documents and data.

"The following facts speak about the efficiency of fissionable radioactive materials' customs control organization. If in 1996 there were 9 cases of return to the Russian Federation of goods and vehicles with increased ionizing radiation, then starting from 2002 until now, there were none," said the official.