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The country of Georgia has announced that three Chinese nationals have been arrested for attempting to illegally purchase two kilograms of uranium.

Getting into it: The suspects were apprehended in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, during an operation conducted by the State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG). According to officials, the three Chinese nationals were negotiating the purchase of the uranium when authorities intervened. One of the suspects, who had overstayed his visa and was residing in Georgia illegally, played a central role in orchestrating the transaction. He had reportedly brought foreign experts into the countryto assist in locating the radioactive material, while other members of the network coordinated the operation remotely from China.

The group intended to pay $400,000 for two kilograms (approximately 4.4 pounds) of uranium, which they planned to smuggle into China through Russia. Video footage released by the SSSG shows armed officers conducting a raid, detaining the suspects, and confiscating glass containers filled with a yellow substance later confirmed to be uranium.

Georgian officials have not released the names of the suspects or the exact date of the arrests, but stated that the individuals were taken into custody while finalizing details of the illegal deal. The security agency indicated that this was not an isolated operation, but part of a larger transnational effort, with some participants still operating from abroad.