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ANKARA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police seized radioactive californium worth 72 million U.S. dollars in Turkey's northern province of Bolu, the Provincial Governorate said on Saturday.
A total of 18.1 grams of californium was nabbed in a car during an anti-smuggling operation, according to a statement released by Bolu Provincial Governorate.
The radioactive element was sent to Turkey's Atomic Energy Authority for examination.
Five people linked to the incident is under investigation.
Californium is a radioactive chemical element considered to be highly dangerous. It is used in nuclear weapons and reactors as well as in gold, silver and oil mining operations to determine water or oil layers underground.
