This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27916026
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Albanian police battle cannabis growers in Lazarat | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Albanian police have seized more than 10 tonnes of marijuana in a major operation against cannabis growers in the southern village of Lazarat. | Albanian police have seized more than 10 tonnes of marijuana in a major operation against cannabis growers in the southern village of Lazarat. |
Police say about 800 officers were needed to bring most of the village under control by Wednesday evening. | |
One officer and two civilians were hurt in an exchange of gunfire, they add. | |
Lazarat produces 900 tonnes of cannabis annually, worth 4.5bn euros ($6.1bn; £3.6bn) - equivalent to almost half of Albania's gross domestic product. | |
Police have besieged the village, about 230km (140 miles) south of the capital Tirana, since Monday. | |
They were met with heavily armed men firing rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. | They were met with heavily armed men firing rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. |
Smoke was seen rising above the village, with some witnesses saying it was caused by locals burning marijuana plants before police closed in. | |
The operation is still in progress. The alleged gang leader surrendered and 10 others were still holed up inside a house, AFP news agency reports. | The operation is still in progress. The alleged gang leader surrendered and 10 others were still holed up inside a house, AFP news agency reports. |
Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri told AP news agency that the operation would continue until "every square centimetre in Lazarat is under state control". | Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri told AP news agency that the operation would continue until "every square centimetre in Lazarat is under state control". |
The operation comes as part of the new Socialist government's campaign to stamp out the marijuana economy in its bid to become part of the European Union. | The operation comes as part of the new Socialist government's campaign to stamp out the marijuana economy in its bid to become part of the European Union. |
Previous version
1
Next version