The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia reported on Wednesday that it had prevented an attempt to illegally sell the radioactive material uranium-238 to a foreign citizen.

As a result of a joint operation, officers of the counterintelligence and operational departments of the SSS of Georgia arrested a Georgian national for illegal trafficking in nuclear materials; in particular, radioactive uranium, the SSS noted in a statement.

During the investigation, it was found out that the detainee was planning to sell the uranium-238 nuclear material he had in his possession to a foreign citizen for $700,000.

The SSS is conducting an investigation under Article 230 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which provides for imprisonment for up to 10 years.

But the statement does not specify how much uranium the aforesaid Georgian national was planning to sell to the foreign citizen.