Albanian police seize over 10 tonnes of marijuanaJune 19, 2014 - 10:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Albanian police have seized more than 10 tonnes of marijuana in a major operation against cannabis growers in the southern village of Lazarat, according to BBC News. Police say some 800 officers were needed to bring most of the village under control by Wednesday evening. One officer and two civilians have been injured in gunfire exchange, they add. Lazarat produces 900 tonnes of cannabis annually, worth some 4.5 bn euros ($6.1 bn) - equivalent to almost half of Albania's gross domestic product. Police have besieged the village, some 230km (140 miles) south of the capital Tirana, since Monday. They were met with heavily armed men firing rocket-propelled grenades and mortar shells. Smoke was seen rising above the village, with some eyewitnesses saying it was caused by locals burning marijuana plants before police closed in. Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri told the AP that the operation would continue until "every square centimeter 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. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan People demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation again blocked streets in Yerevan on May 15. Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." |