The following information is a synopsis of information received from the State of Louisiana:
On 2/6/2013 at 1752 CST, the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office (IPSO) notified the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) that radioactive material had been found in a vehicle which had been towed and impounded by IPSO. LDEQ personnel conducted an investigation on 2/8/2013 at the IPSO.
A metal briefcase containing a SenoRx Gamma Finder II survey meter and two calibration sources was found in the impounded vehicle by the IPSO. Survey readings done at a local hospital before LDEQ was called read 0.008 mR/hr for the two calibration sources. The briefcase containing the survey meter and calibration sources was then taken to the IPSO.
Description of the first source: Co-57, serial number D-138-21, last calibration date 10/21/2008, activity 11.5242 microCuries. Description of the second source: Co-57, serial number D-139-6, last calibration date 10/22/2008, activity 1.1419 microCuries. The IPSO traced the serial numbers and found that the survey meter and calibration sources belonged to Bard Biopsy Systems in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The IPSO confirmed that Bard Biopsy Systems had reported the survey meter and calibration sources stolen from their location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2009. A report had been filed with the Philadelphia Police Department, District 26, at that time.
LDEQ personnel performed a survey on both calibration sources using a Ludlum 14C survey meter. The first source read 0.05mR/hr on the surface and the second source read 0.03 mR/hr on the surface. A background reading of 0 mR/hr was noted during these readings.
The Philadelphia
PD, District 26 is following up on the
stolen equipment. The IPSO will ship the survey meter and sources to the Philadelphia
PD. Philadelphia
PD will return the survey meter and calibration sources to the owner.