Radioactive material hits black market

FBI teams up with police in Moldova to break up deals, but dangers remain unknown

Authorities in Eastern Europe working with the FBI have interrupted four attempts in the past five years by gangs with suspected Russian connections that sought to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern extremists.

The latest known case came in February, when a smuggler offered a large cache of deadly cesium - enough to contaminate several city blocks - and specifically sought a buyer with Islamic State.