Turkish police found 18 grams (0.6 ounces) of radioactive californium, used in nuclear weapons and reactors, in a car in the country’s northwestern Bolu province, the provincial administration said in a statement on Saturday.

According to the authorities, the police had stopped a car near the Ataturk park during an anti-smuggling operation and “during the search, 18.01 grams of Californium … were seized.

“The given substance, the estimated cost of which is $72 million, … was sent to Turkey’s Atomic Energy Authority for examination.”

Five people were arrested as part of the case, and an investigation is underway. (NAN)