Missing nuclear devices in Canada?
Captain Ed's rightly worried. In this day and age where our enemies would love nothing more than to get their hands on such devices, we should be concerned, as well. CTV has the scoop:
Radioactive devices -- some of which have the potential to be used in terrorist attacks -- have gone missing in alarming numbers in Canada over the past five years.
A new database compiled by The Canadian Press shows that the devices, which are used in everything from medical research to measuring oil wells, are becoming a favoured target of thieves.
At least 76 have gone missing in Canada over the past five years -- disappearing from construction sites, specialized tool boxes, and generally growing legs and walking away.
Some of the devices could be used in a "dirty bomb," where conventional explosives are used to detonate nuclear material, spreading the contamination over a wide area, said Alan Bell, a security and international terrorism expert from Globe Risk Security Holdings.
He told CTV Newsnet on Thursday that the problem isn't new, but it has gained new attention as a result of the CP report.
"It's come to the fore over the last couple of days but it has always been there. We've had this problem. It's only a matter of time before terrorists use a dirty bomb process to attack the world," Bell said.
The database compiled by CP tracks the rate at which the devices have gone missing in recent years.
It points to dozens of cases where hazardous materials have gone missing, been stolen or lost in a variety of mishaps.
Of the 76, 35 were stolen, three others were found in a ditch beside a road, in a dump and in a farmer's field.
Dozens were still unaccounted for at last count.
You just have to love how our Canuck brothers north of the border admit that there's a problem so nonchalantly. Yes, there's a problem all right, and it has a lot to do with the fact that they haven't been keeping an eye on dangerous things for awhile. What's even more frustrating about this story are the graphics and information given out regarding where terrorists could place a dirty bomb to effect maximum damage.
The idea that Mr. Bell has is to set up a singular agency in Canada with it's mission defined as monitoring and transporting such materials. The reason for the offer of this new agency is, as he not-so-eloquently puts it, is because of the bureaucratic boondoggle that has occurred. Many agencies involved in this seem reluctant to streamline their methods of monitoring and transporting these nuclear materials. But Mr. Bell is quick to point out that the level of sophistication of the jihadis has increased, and it will only be a matter of time before they add dirty bombs to their repertoire.
Publius II
Radioactive devices -- some of which have the potential to be used in terrorist attacks -- have gone missing in alarming numbers in Canada over the past five years.
A new database compiled by The Canadian Press shows that the devices, which are used in everything from medical research to measuring oil wells, are becoming a favoured target of thieves.
At least 76 have gone missing in Canada over the past five years -- disappearing from construction sites, specialized tool boxes, and generally growing legs and walking away.
Some of the devices could be used in a "dirty bomb," where conventional explosives are used to detonate nuclear material, spreading the contamination over a wide area, said Alan Bell, a security and international terrorism expert from Globe Risk Security Holdings.
He told CTV Newsnet on Thursday that the problem isn't new, but it has gained new attention as a result of the CP report.
"It's come to the fore over the last couple of days but it has always been there. We've had this problem. It's only a matter of time before terrorists use a dirty bomb process to attack the world," Bell said.
The database compiled by CP tracks the rate at which the devices have gone missing in recent years.
It points to dozens of cases where hazardous materials have gone missing, been stolen or lost in a variety of mishaps.
Of the 76, 35 were stolen, three others were found in a ditch beside a road, in a dump and in a farmer's field.
Dozens were still unaccounted for at last count.
You just have to love how our Canuck brothers north of the border admit that there's a problem so nonchalantly. Yes, there's a problem all right, and it has a lot to do with the fact that they haven't been keeping an eye on dangerous things for awhile. What's even more frustrating about this story are the graphics and information given out regarding where terrorists could place a dirty bomb to effect maximum damage.
The idea that Mr. Bell has is to set up a singular agency in Canada with it's mission defined as monitoring and transporting such materials. The reason for the offer of this new agency is, as he not-so-eloquently puts it, is because of the bureaucratic boondoggle that has occurred. Many agencies involved in this seem reluctant to streamline their methods of monitoring and transporting these nuclear materials. But Mr. Bell is quick to point out that the level of sophistication of the jihadis has increased, and it will only be a matter of time before they add dirty bombs to their repertoire.
Publius II
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 5:14 PM
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