MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) today arrested two persons, who had been arrested on February 21, for possession and trying to sell natural uranium, a highly radioactive element that poses a great danger to human life.

After they were taken into custody the ATS had sent the material to The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Trombay, Mumbai for analysis which sent back a report earlier this week confirming that the substance was natural uranium, which is highly radioactive in nature.

The ATS had seized a total of 7.1 kg natural uranium from the duo which is estimated to be worth Rs 21.30 crore and apart from other commercial uses, it can be used to fuel both low and high-power nuclear reactors. The element is also used for radiation in some medical techniques and as a counterbalance weight in aeroplanes, among other things.

Following a confirmation from BARC, the ATS has filed FIR under sections of the Atomic Energy Act and produced the two accused before a court that remanded them in the custody of the ATS till May 12. ATS has to now establish how the accused, procured the uranium, the use of which is an extremely restricted element, and who was it meant for.

On February 21, the Nagpada unit of ATS, led by inspector Santosh Bhalekar, received a tip-off about a person, identified as Thane based resident Jigar Jayesh Pandya, planning to sell some restricted elements. The cops laid a trap for Pandya and detained him. During questioning Pandya, he named his accomplice Abu Tahir Choudhary, a scrap dealer from Mankhurd.

Based on the information the ATS team raided Tahir’s godown at the Kurla Scrap Association in Mankhurd and detained him. On searching his godown, they found some more uranium which was seized and sent to BARC for analysis.