The uranium is likely packed in metalic lead lined canisters. The brownish cylinder you see is a poymer coating that is applied at the source. The germans use this extensively for alot of things to protect it during shipping and storage. It peels off like orange peel and feels like greasy rubberized plastic.
The pic I saw on CNN showed tape holding a cut in the coating together. The label is embossed on the coating usually after it is painted. I handeled alot of stuff coated like this when I was in Europe and then afterwards working for a German contractor.
I would say the origination point was West Gemany for sure. Probably stolen.
Interesting. If there is a cut in the coating, and then it was taped up over the cut, doesn't that mean the cylinder was opened at some time after it was sealed in the coating?