Lazarat cannabis economy and the 2014 police raid
Status: Historic. Cultivation shifted, reduced, and recorded as 'considerably lower' outdoors by 2022 (EUDA). Several local figures remain disputed.
Summary
Lazarat, a village in southern Albania (Vlora region), became the centre of a cannabis economy in the 2010s. Italian financial police (Guardia di Finanza) used aerial photographs to estimate output at about 900 tonnes a year worth EUR 4.5bn in 2014, and a 2013 estimate of 319 hectares yielding over 1,000 tonnes worth about EUR 4bn. Those figures are estimates from aerial imagery, not measured sales.
In June 2014 police carried out a five-day raid. Interior Ministry officials said the marijuana destroyed that year had a market value of EUR 6.4bn, more than 60% of GDP, with more than half of it found in Lazarat. OCCRP later reported that ten people were jailed in connection with the 2014 raid. Later reports say cultivation moved elsewhere rather than stopping.
Tahiri's 2016 claim that Albania was removed from the drug-origin map after the crackdown is his own statement. Other officials and reporters dispute how far the crackdown changed production.
Key facts
- Guardia di Finanza aerial estimate (2013): 319 hectares, more than 1,000 tonnes, about EUR 4bn.
- Guardia di Finanza estimate (2014, as reported by AP): about 900 tonnes a year, EUR 4.5bn, about half of GDP.
- Interior Ministry (2014): destroyed marijuana worth EUR 6.4bn, over 60% of GDP (as stated by officials).
- EUDA (2022): outdoor cultivation in Albania 'considerably lower' than in the past; some networks moved to indoor production in the EU.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- A large 2014 police operation took place in Lazarat and ten people were jailed later (OCCRP).
- The Albanian Interior Ministry reported destroying cannabis worth a large sum in 2014 (figures are official claims).
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat Lazarat-scale profits were laundered in property (no source measured it).
- AllegationThat Tahiri protected the network (Zagani; FTM). Tahiri's conviction was for abuse of office only.
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationLazarat's output was of a scale that could account for a large share of proceeds returning to Albania (estimate; not measured).
- AllegationTahiri protected the trade as Interior Minister (Zagani; FTM, Nov 2025).
Open questions (3)
- How were the aerial-photo tonnage and value estimates built? Is there a published method?
- How much cannabis profit reached Albanian banks or property, and when?
- Did output move to other regions after 2014 (EMCDDA 2017 and 2022 reports say yes, at least partly)?
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Tahiri (2016): Albania removed from drug-origin map after seven months of operations (Shqiptarja). He also said cannabis was found in villages across Albania, not just Lazarat (search summary).
Figures
Money trail →Guardia di Finanza aerial estimate: Lazarat-area cannabis 2013 (319 ha; over 1,000 t)
€4,000,000,000
otherSource label: UnverifiedStated definition: Estimate of market value from aerial imagery (per Italian financial police as reported). Not a measured sales figure.
Date: 2013 · Payer: not applicable · Payee: not applicable
- Gangs based in Lazarat produce about 900 metric tons of cannabis a year (AP, June 2014) (opens in a new tab)AP / Fox News · Jun 2014 · journalism · EN
Guardia di Finanza estimate: Lazarat ~900 t a year, value EUR 4.5bn (2014)
€4,500,000,000
otherSource label: UnverifiedStated definition: Estimate; about half of Albania's GDP per the same reporting. Not measured.
Date: Jun 2014 · Payer: not applicable · Payee: not applicable
- Amid heavy gunfire, Albanian police battle to restore law to farming village turned pot empire (opens in a new tab)AP / Fox News · Jun 2014 · journalism · EN
Interior Ministry: market value of cannabis destroyed in 2014 (national)
€6,400,000,000
seizureSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: Official claim of market value of seized and destroyed cannabis nationally, more than 60% of GDP (per officials). Value method not published.
Date: 2014 · Payer: not applicable · Payee: not applicable
- 6.4 billion EUR of drugs seized in 2014 (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · unknown · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →International
Guardia di Finanza aerial estimate: 319 hectares, over 1,000 tonnes, about EUR 4bn
Italian financial police, using aerial monitoring, estimated Lazarat-area cannabis at 319 hectares and over 1,000 tonnes a year, about EUR 4bn. These are estimates from imagery, not sales data.
Police
Police five-day raid on Lazarat; large cannabis destroyed
Police raided Lazarat and nearby villages in June 2014. Interior Ministry officials put the value of the year's destroyed marijuana at EUR 6.4bn. OCCRP later reported ten people jailed in connection with the raid.
Government
Tahiri: Albania removed from the map of drug-origin countries
Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri said that after seven months of operations, mainly in Lazarat and Dukagjin, Albania had been removed from the map of countries with drug origin. The claim is his own and was contested.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 7 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 1 source
- Publisher
- EUDA (formerly EMCDDA)
- Date
- Oct 2022
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 2 sources
- Publisher
- OCCRP
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- unknown
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 4 sources
- Publisher
- OCCRP
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- AP / Fox News
- Date
- Jun 2014
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- 2016
- Publisher
- exit.al (citing EMCDDA 2017)
- Date
- 2017