Californium Discovery: Bihar Police have achieved a major success by seizing a large amount of californium, a highly valuable radioactive element. The police found 50 grams of californium, which is valued at around ₹17 crore per gram in India. This makes the total value of the seized californium approximately ₹850 crores.
Details of the Seizure: The Special Task Force (STF), Special Operations Group, and Kuchaykot Police Station jointly carried out the operation that led to the recovery of 50 grams of californium. They also arrested three smugglers involved in trafficking this precious radioactive material.
How the Smugglers Were Caught: The smugglers, who are from Kushinagar district, had been attempting to sell the substance for several months. The police received a tip-off from Gopalganj and acted on it. The smugglers were caught after a secret operation. The handling of the radioactive substance and further investigation has been referred to a forensic science laboratory. The Department of Atomic Energy has also been notified. Testing of the substance was conducted at IIT Madras, and it is believed to be connected to a nuclear power company in Puducherry. The police have contacted Puducherry police for further coordination.
What is Californium and Why is it So Expensive?
Californium is used in nuclear reactors for power production and in treating serious diseases like brain cancer. It is produced in laboratories, and only small quantities can be made at a time. This rarity makes it very expensive. Californium has an atomic number of 98.
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