Venezuela said on Thursday it had found a capsule of highly radioactive material that was aboard a truck stolen 10 days ago. Officials had warned of a potential radioactive hazard after thieves seized the truck carrying the capsule in its lunchbox-sized protective container. It was the third incident involving such devices this year.

"The radioactive capsule was found in Yaritagua in Yaracuy State thanks to the intelligence work of the National Guard," the Interior and Justice Ministry said in a statement.

Officials said an investigative police detective, two state security police agents and a salesman were arrested in connection with the theft.

The device contains Iridium-192, which emits powerful gamma radiation and is used for industrial radiography, such as for detecting faults in underground industrial pipes. Two Iridium-192 capsules disappeared in two Venezuelan states in March this year.

Copyright Reuters, 2005