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Hazardous Loot Seized

PENZA, Russia () -- A man carrying radioactive cesium rods in a sports bag was detained by police on a Moscow-bound passenger train, a news agency said Tuesday.


Police told Itar-Tass that the two-kilogram container was emitting radioactivity 25 times beyond the normal level. Authorities did not say where the cesium came from, or when the arrest occurred.


The man was detained by police who were using radiation counters to check passengers on the train in Penza, 550 kilometers southeast of Moscow, Itar-Tass said. Police say smugglers often use trains to transport radioactive materials because security is tighter at airports.



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