By Kate Hanaghan, 24 July 2002 08:00
NEWS The FBI has arrested three students who had summer jobs with NASA for attempting to sell stolen moon rocks online. The group, which included one other person, were found in possession of a stolen safe containing moon samples thought to be worth more than $1m. The rocks were taken from the space centre in Houston, Texas and subsequently advertised for sale on the Mineralogy Club of Antwerp's website, according to the Associated Press. The gang was completely open about the illegality of the sale but despite attempts to remain anonymous were finally tracked down to a restaurant in Florida where they tried to close a deal with undercover agents. Two of the suspects have been released on bail while the other two await court hearings in prison. Nasa has fired the students and, according to the BBC, will now tighten-up on security. Visit the Mineralogy Club of Antwerp here http://www.minerant.org
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