On December 3, 2024, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) notified the NRC that a Ge-68 pin source was lost in transit on December 2. Manufactured by Eckert & Ziegler (model HEGL-0132), the source contained approximately 0.267 millicuries (mCi) of Ge-68 radioactivity. It had been shipped for disposal, but the container arrived at its destination damaged and empty. According to the NRC’s event report:
“The licensee has filed a claim with the shipper. If the source is not located within 30 days, the licensee will follow up with a full written report to include root cause(s) and corrective actions.”
Although it’s classified as “Less than IAEA Category 3”, the Ge-68 source could still pose a hazard if mishandled or kept in prolonged close contact.
Germanium-68 (Ge-68) is a radioactive isotope primarily used for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging calibration. As Ge-68 decays, it produces Gallium-68 (Ga-68), enabling accurate tuning of PET scanners. A Ge-68 pin source is a sealed radioactive unit designed for instrument calibration; it emits a known radiation level so that imaging devices can be precisely adjusted.
While Ge-68 is lower risk compared to higher-category isotopes, unshielded exposure can lead to health issues over time. If someone unknowingly kept the source, they might experience unnecessary radiation exposure.
Eckert & Ziegler is an international company that develops radioisotope technology and medical device components for nuclear medicine. Headquartered in Germany, it produces a wide range of sealed radioactive sources, radiopharmaceuticals, and implants for cancer therapy. Stringent regulations apply to the handling and transport of these materials, but rare incidents still occur, like the one reported in New Jersey.
Political commentator Officer Lew brought attention to the NRC’s alert on social media, speculating that unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey might relate to the lost radioactive shipment:
“While looking at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Alerts… radioactive material has gone missing on Dec 2nd, 2024 out of New Jersey. This might be the reason for the drones… just speculation at this point.”
No official statement connects the missing Ge-68 source to any drone activity, but the timing has sparked public curiosity.
Locals in New Jersey have reported unusual low-flying drones during night hours, leading some to believe these UAVs may belong to governmental or contracted entities with specialized detection equipment.
John Ferguson, CEO of Saxon Aerospace LLC, suggests the drones could be part of a clandestine mission:
“My belief is they’re trying to smell something on the ground—gas, leaks, radioactive material, whatever... If they are our drones, the only reason they would be flying that low is because they’re trying to sniff the ground and try to find something.”
He notes that commercial drones used for mapping or agriculture typically operate in daylight hours and often lack the specialized sensors needed for radioactive or chemical detection.
Ferguson also relayed a story involving over 80 Soviet-era nuclear warheads that allegedly disappeared from Ukraine post-USSR collapse. He claims at least one warhead might have been en route to the United States. While no official agency corroborates this narrative, Ferguson says a “government insider” physically handled one of these warheads.
“He physically touched this warhead… He knew that thing was headed towards the United States. That is a very serious deal.”
These accusations remain unverified, with the Budapest Memorandum and other agreements citing that all former Soviet weapons in Ukraine were returned or dismantled by the mid-1990s.
Ferguson draws parallels to previous unexplained drone sightings along the Interstate 70 corridor in Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Speculation then suggested these UAVs were looking for missing radioactive material. With similar sightings now arising in New Jersey, some suspect a larger, undisclosed operation to track nuclear contraband may be underway.
Nighttime flights equipped with advanced sensors—such as radiation detectors—are often used for intelligence and surveillance missions, not routine commercial tasks.
Prominent podcast host Joe Rogan voiced his unease after seeing Ferguson’s comments:
“This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned.”
Rogan’s reaction amplified public speculation over potential covert U.S. drone deployments aimed at finding hazardous materials like the lost Ge-68 source or even more ominous nuclear armaments.
John Ferguson leads Saxon Aerospace LLC, a Wichita-based company that manufactures specialized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for military and industrial use. Among its flagship products:
The company’s recent agreement to manage Greenwood County Kansas Airport underscores its growing reputation in the UAV sector. Ferguson’s two decades of experience in remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) form the basis for his theory that the drones in New Jersey could be carrying out a highly specific search mission.
The NRC continues searching for the missing source; if not found within 30 days, the licensee must file a comprehensive report detailing root causes and corrective actions. Meanwhile, speculation linking the lost Ge-68 to drone sightings—and far more alarming rumors—continues to swirl.
Disclaimer: The warhead allegations are unverified, presented here only as a reported claim.
