# Radioactive medical material theft in São Paulo

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/radioactive-medical-material-theft-in-so-paulo
> Updated: 2026-10-05T18:34:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

On October 1, four armed individuals intercepted a vehicle transporting Actinium-225, a radioactive medical isotope, on the Via Dutra highway in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo. The driver was held hostage until the following morning before being released in eastern São Paulo. While the driver was located, the vehicle and the radioactive cargo were initially reported missing.

By October 5, the Civil Police's Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (DEIC) located the stolen Citroën Jumpy van partially dismantled in Ferraz de Vasconcelos. On the night of October 5, authorities recovered the shipment of Actinium-225 in a vacant lot in the São Rafael neighborhood, in the East Zone of São Paulo. The National Nuclear Safety Authority (ANSN) confirmed the recovery after identifying the packaging as compatible with the stolen cargo, a finding supported by photographic verification from the manufacturer in the United States.

The recovered material, valued at approximately 30,000 reais, was intended for use at Hospital A. C. Camargo. Authorities noted that because the isotope is an alpha emitter with low penetration power and was found in intact packaging, it posed a low radiological risk to the public. Investigations into the identity of the four individuals involved in the robbery remain ongoing.

## Claims

- The Actinium-225 material presents a low radiological risk to the population due to its low penetration power. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The manufacturer in the United States confirmed the packaging was compatible with the stolen material. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The radioactive material was found in a vacant lot in the São Rafael neighborhood, East Zone of São Paulo. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The transport van was found abandoned and partially dismantled in Ferraz de Vasconcelos on Saturday. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Civil Police of São Paulo recovered the stolen radioactive material. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The robbery took place on the Presidente Dutra Highway in Guarulhos. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The stolen radioactive material is valued at 30,000 reais. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The stolen Actinium-225 was intended for cancer treatment at Hospital A. C. Camargo. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: São Paulo police recover stolen radioactive medical material

São Paulo police recovered stolen Actinium-225, a radioactive medical isotope, found in a vacant lot following a van robbery in Guarulhos. Authorities report low radiological risk to the public.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/radioactive-medical-isotope-theft-investigation-continues-in-so-paulo

### 2026-10-03: Radioactive medical material stolen from vehicle in Guarulhos

A vehicle carrying Actinium-225, a radioactive medical isotope, was stolen in Guarulhos, Brazil. The driver was held hostage but has been released; the cargo remains missing.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/radioactive-medical-material-stolen-from-vehicle-in-guarulhos

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Cite as: Radioactive medical material theft in São Paulo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/radioactive-medical-material-theft-in-so-paulo