http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070712/pl_nm/dirtybomb_sting_dc
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Undercover investigators, working for a fake firm, obtained a license to buy enough radioactive material to build a “dirty bomb,” amid little scrutiny from federal regulators, according to a government report obtained on Wednesday.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the license to the dummy company in just 28 days with only a cursory review, the Government Accountability Office said in a report to be released on Thursday.
The GAO, which set up the sting, said the NRC approved the license after a couple of faxes and phones calls and then mailed it to the phony company’s headquarters — a drop box at a United Parcel Service location.
“From the date of application to the issuance of the license, the entire process lasted 28 days,” the GAO said. “GAO investigators essentially obtained a valid materials license from the NRC without ever leaving their desks.”
Homeland Security?
5 Responses
I saw that story and thought “Unbelievable!”
It also made me want to work for the GAO. :)
nothing makes me feel safe, one day at a time. we have no control over our government, or anyone elses.
it makes me feel cheated
Scary but not surprising… It is reasonable to think that it could be much easier to get radioactive materials inside the US, that importing it. Security is much mroe tight in the port of entry now, so this strategy was logical, and authorities should have known about this vulnerability, but somehow, they did not pay attention to this…
My uncles was working for a nuclear power station security department, they were trained with grenades, RPG`s DCA, M16 and on, but the security for the contractors… Well Another loophole…
So, is the US should expect a dirty bomb? I should say yes, it will be the least they can do with such material!!
I feel safer than ever knowing that I can easily purchase nuclear materials.
I better get mine quick before they shut the operation down.