Front-line officers in Ukraine conducting counter nuclear smuggling operations.
In the wrong hands, lost or stolen radioactive and nuclear (R/N) materials can be smuggled and used in acts of terrorism and mass disruption. NNSA's Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) works with partner countries to detect, disrupt, and investigate the smuggling of R/N materials that could be used in these acts of terrorism.
Several countries possess R/N material of their own, and even more countries are at risk of having R/N material smuggled through their borders. Integrating R/N detection capabilities into existing security operations both at borders and in between enhances a partner country’s national security by building a layered defense strategy.
NSDD provides partners with comprehensive solutions to counter R/N smuggling. For example, NSDD may provide border security and law enforcement agencies with mobile radiation detection systems installed in vehicles for use in intelligence-driven searches and at roadside checkpoints. NSDD may also provide mission enabling solutions that increase a partner’s probability of encountering R/N smuggling activity.
NSDD also provides access to in-depth educational and support programs on topics including operation and maintenance of radiation detection systems and mission enabling equipment, development of standard operating procedures and regulations, investigation support, technical peer to peer partnerships, and a wide variety of customized tabletop and field exercises.
NSDD works to connect partners who can support one another on a regional level and encourages this cooperation through cross-border events and exercises. NSDD collaborates with international organizations including INTERPOL, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Customs Organization, and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. NSDD also partners with Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Finland, among other partner countries to fund joint capacity building efforts around the globe. NSDD draws upon the expertise of its National Laboratory scientists to optimize equipment functionality in a wide range of environments and also collaborates with the United States Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Defense, among others, to assist our partners in developing and sustaining their counter nuclear smuggling programs.