BBC in the Albanian-Greek border: Europe’s largest cannabis route must be closed
07/12/2020 15:21
The Washington Agreement Must Be Reactivated! 06/01 19:04
The BBC television network has published a report on cannabis trafficking in Europe and its origin from Albania, authored by Greek journalist Kostas Koukoumakas, focusing on the green border between Albania and Greece.
“A short distance ahead is the porous border with Albania. This is the largest land route for cannabis trafficking in Europe. The Greek border village of Haravgi Ioannina is close, but there are no barbed wire or any other obstacles to mark the border”, the report begins.
“Cannabis is trafficked on foot by Albanians living in villages on the other side of the border,” said Greek border officer Lambros Tsoumanis, who spends much of his time patrolling the mountains.
“They are daring, strong people and know all the mountain passages in the palm of their hand. They can survive for days in the woods”, he adds.
According to the report, from the beginning of this year, the Greek police have managed to seize 1.5 tons of cannabis, while the previous two years, they seized about 9 tons.
Smugglers, usually armed with Kalashnikovs, carry bags of 40-50 kg of cannabis on their backs.
They hide drugs near certain recognizable points, such as a large tree or a fountain. The bags are then taken by members of a Greek network.
In terms of price, according to BBC, a kg of wholesale cannabis in Albania can reach up to 900 pound-sterling, while drug barons in Italy or Greece pay double that price.
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