First-of-its-kind global Customs operation uncovers dual threat of illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials

• Global Customs effort focusing on detections involving nuclear or other radioactive materials reports multiple 'near misses' for public health.
• Malta Customs detects radioactive contamination in textile shipment, preventing contaminated goods from entering the consumer market.
• Prevalence of illicit trade evident with secondary seizures of narcotics and other illicit goods, bringing the total number of reported seizures to 51.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) demonstrated the important role Customs play in protecting society from the illicit movement of dangerous materials by carrying out the first ever operation focusing on the disruption of illicit trafficking of nuclear or radioactive materials. With 89 Customs administrations from around the world participating in the Operation, codenamed Stingray, a total of 51 seizures were reported by 18 different Administrations in just a three-week period.

WCO leads first operation of its kind

In cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), INTERPOL, U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the WCO's Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs), Operation Stingray was the first operation to focus on detections involving nuclear or other radioactive (R/N) Materials Out of Regulatory Control (MORC), raising Customs' awareness of the threats associated with the illicit trafficking of R/N materials and its critical role in detecting these materials and preventing their further circulation.

WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: "This global Customs effort underscores that cooperation is our strongest line of defence against one of the most serious threats to global security and safety. The illicit diversion of nuclear or other radioactive materials endangers communities on multiple fronts, whether through the potential creation of weapons of mass destruction or the contamination of goods that can harm public health and disrupt economies. Given their unique position at the border, Customs plays a critical role in protecting society through the prevention, detection and deterrence of illicit trafficking in radiological and nuclear materials."

Operation Results

The Operation resulted in 51 seizure reports including 5 R/N-related detections found in goods not typically suspected of radiological contamination.

• Radioactive clothing intercepted by Malta Customs. In one particularly alarming case, a container inspection triggered a gamma radiation alarm while transiting through a fixed Radiation Portal Monitor. The shipment, consisting of 18,000 kilograms of garments, was in transit to Algeria. The garments were found to be radioactive. Had the contamination not been detected by Malta Customs, the clothes could have entered the market, potentially exposing the public to radiation.

• Portugal and Angola Customs cooperate to catch highly radioactive substance. Using the real-time communication platform dedicated exclusively to information exchange on R/N MORC, Angola Customs flagged a legal air cargo shipment of Iridium-192 (a highly radioactive source) to Portugal, prompting Portuguese Customs to inspect it and uncover a misdeclaration. This case demonstrated the importance of real-time cross-border communication enabling Customs to cross-check and compare import and export data.

In addition, seizures of narcotics and other illicit goods, while not the focus of the Operation, provided further insight into the variety of concealment methods and the value of strengthened detection capacity across all risk areas. The Operation included:

• 22 drug seizures, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis;
• 14 seizures of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarette cartridges;
• 3 currency seizures;
• 8 seizures of ammunition, blank firing guns, and air rifles; and
• seizures of counterfeit goods, wildlife and other restricted items.

WCO's Key Findings

Operation Stingray demonstrates the importance of Customs' mandate with respect to inspection, detection and enforcement related to R/N materials. Beyond the seizure of illicit and dangerous materials during the Operation, the long-term impact of joint global cooperation is one of the most significant outcomes of this WCO-led initiative.

• Awareness Raising, Training, and Inter-Agency Cooperation
  The Operation was equally significant in terms of operational engagement and awareness-raising. Customs authorities carried out extensive screenings and conducted secondary inspection activities to sensitize frontline officers to the risk of movement of R/N MORC. National awareness campaigns, targeted training sessions, and the deployment of new equipment reinforced preparedness and highlighted the importance of inter-agency and cross-border coordination.
• National and International Coordination Critical to Success
  In preparation for the Operation, national cooperation, coordination, and communication involving Customs, police, and nuclear and regulatory authorities enabled integrated responses to detections. On the international front, Customs administrations engaged in information sharing, joint targeting, and cooperation with regional and global networks, including through established communication platforms with the WCO, IAEA, INTERPOL, RILOs, and neighbouring Administrations to facilitate real time alerts and the exchange of risk profiles.
• Identification of R/N Specific Risk Indicators
  The Operation led to the identification and refinement of risk indicators specific to R/N materials. These indicators are a fundamental tool to ensure that Customs administrations are better able to recognize anomalies in trade data, routing patterns, documentation, and physical inspection. The development of this tool will enable Customs to identify suspicious consignments, detect potential cases of illicit diversion of R/N materials, and strengthen overall targeting capacity.

Next Steps

Given the positive results, the WCO will expand the reach of the Operation, continue to raise Customs' awareness of the threats associated with the illicit transport of R/N materials and provide training in how to address these threats and prevent these dangerous goods from falling into the wrong hands.

Background

This Operation was part of the global initiative led by the WCO's Radiological and Nuclear Detection Awareness (RANDA) project, which is implemented in partnership with the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), with support from the IAEA, INTERPOL and the WCO's RILOs.