STAVROPOL. Jan 18 (Interfax-AVN) - Border guards of the Vladikavkaz detachment detained a Mercedes mini-van with radioactive cargo at the Nizhny Zaramag checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian state border, the press service of the North Caucasus Regional Border Guard Directorate told Interfax-Military News Agency Tuesday.
"The Yantar radioactive control system indicated the radioactive emission coming from the cargo at the checkpoint. The measurements of the radiation showed 45 micro-roentgen per hour, while the admissible emission is only 9 micro-roentgen per hour," an official of the press service said.
According to him, the mini-van carried 42 sacks with potassium powder, and 11 barrels with aluminum powder.
"The vehicle was en route from Pyatigorsk to Georgia," he added.
He also said that the vehicle was put into a safe place pending the arrival of Emergencies Ministry's specialists. The driver is being questioned by law enforcement.
According to the press service, about 90 kg of radioactive substances were seized in the responsibility zone of the North Caucasus Regional Border Guard Directorate in 2004.