Cablegate: Diagnostic Radioactive Material Stolen From

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BOGOTA 010890

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ENRG EPET CO
SUBJECT: DIAGNOSTIC RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL STOLEN FROM
ECOPETROL

1. Summary. Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol confirmed
that a small container of diagnostic radioactive material was
stolen from one of its facilities in early October. The
material is used to measure flow rates through its oil
pipelines and contains a very low concentration of Cesium-137
that does not pose a WMD threat. End summary.

2. In late October, contacts at Colombian state oil company
Ecopetrol confirmed that a lead container holding radioactive
material was stolen from Ayacucho Station in La Gloria, Cesar
Department earlier that month. The container (approximately
the size of a one-gallon paint can) holds a mixture that
includes Cesium-137 (plutonium is not/not an ingredient).
Ecopetrol uses the material to measure the density of the
products that are transported through its pipelines.
Ecopetrol officials stated that the concentration of
radioactive material was very low and that it was very
unlikely the container's contents could be used in the
creation of a "dirty bomb".

3. Ecopetrol officials presume that the container was stolen
for the lead casing and used for scrap since this has
occurred on limited occasions in the past. As soon as
Ecopetrol discovered the theft, it sent word to scrap metal
traders to warn them of the health hazards of opening the
container. Ecopetrol also issued a press release warning the
public of the severe health hazards; the press release led to
a media announcement in national newspaper El Tiempo on
October 23. Colombian police are still working to locate the
container.
DRUCKER

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