Theft of a nuclear gauge


Print View Posted on: 10 December 2024

Event Date: 20 September 2024 Event Type: Radiation Source
Event Location: Mexico, Tijuana, Baja California. INES Rating: 1 (Final)

On September 20, at approximately 16:51 (UTC-22.51), the theft of a CPN nuclear densimeter, model MC-1, serial number MD10700322, was reported to the CNSNS office, which contains the following radioactive sources:

1- Am-241/Be (with an activity today of 1.75 GBq)
2- Cs–137 (with an activity today of 170 MBq).

The theft occurred when the equipment was extracted from a vehicle owned by the company LAMSYCO LABORATORIOS, S.A. de C.V., at Boulevard 2000 in the Colonia Altiplano Tijuana, Baja California, México at approximately 15:00 (UTC-21:00) on September 20, 2024.

On December 6th, 2024 at 19:36 (UTC-6), the radiological officer of the affected company received an anonymous call telling that the equipment was located on the "Playas de Tijuana" highway.

Finally, the device was secured and recovered at around 20:20 (UTC-6).

INES Rating: 1 - Anomaly (Final) as per 09 December 2024
Release beyond authorized limits? No
Overexposure of a member of the public? No
Overexposure of a worker? No

Contamination spread within the facility? No
Damage to radiological barriers (incl. fuel damage) within the facility? No

Degradation of Defence In-Depth No

Person injured physically or casualty? No
Is there a continuing problem? No
Related Information
http://www.gob.mx/cnsns

Victor Gonzalez
Comision Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear y Salvaguardias

vmgonzalez@cnsns.gob.mx
https://www.gob.mx/cnsns
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