U.S. and Bulgaria Sign Agreement to Prevent Nuclear Smuggling
On November 22, 2010, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria announced the commissioning of mobile radiation detection equipment to be deployed throughout Bulgaria as part of the cooperative effort to prevent the smuggling of nuclear materials.
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A 2008 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Bulgaria enables NNSA's Second Line of Defense (SLD) program to partner with MOI to combat nuclear smuggling by installing radiation detection equipment at border crossings and other points of entry, conducting border security training, and holding technical workshops with law enforcement agencies in Bulgaria.
(The SLD has two programs: the SLD Core Program and the Megaports Initiative. The Core Program installs radiation detection equipment at borders, airports, and strategic feeder ports in Russia, former Soviet Union states, and other key countries. Approximately 450 sites have been identified to receive detection equipment installations under the Core program. The Megaports Initiative provides radiation detection equipment to key international seaports to screen cargo containers for nuclear and other radioactive materials. Approximately 75 ports worldwide are targeted for implementation of the Megaports Initiative.)