The arrests were made in the Istanbul suburb of Harem after two men attempted to sell uranium to undercover police officers. The asking price for the 173 grams of uranium was said to be $7.0 million, according to customs authorities.

The tow men were later charged with smuggling nuclear materials.

According to a report carried by the Anatolia news service, studies by the Turkish Nuclear Energy Agency found that the enriched uranium was of medium grade.