Albania was a major cannabis producer in Europe three years ago, when the government made disrupting the market a priority. Pictured: Pueblo County is one of the only places in Colorado that allows for commercial cannabis grows outside, such as the marijuana farm Los Sueos Farms LLC. (Vince Chandler, The Denver Post)

This country’s police have destroyed 2.4 million marijuana plants since June

Published: • Updated:

By The Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania — Albanian police say they have seized and destroyed 2.4 million marijuana plants discovered in the country this year.

More weed news from around the world

‘There’s 3 million drug addicts, I’d be happy to slaughter them’: Philippines drug war has turned into genocide

Middle East pot pioneer: How this tiny Middle Eastern nation came to lead the world in medical marijuana research

Peruse our Cannabist-themed merchandise (T’s, hats, hoodies) at Cannabist Shop.

Police Chief Haki Cako said Friday that the 219 hectares (540 acres) of plants pulled up since June are four times more than authorities confiscated last year.

Cako says 248 people have been arrested for producing the marijuana, much of it destined for Italy, Greece, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Local media quoted an expert who estimated the plants were worth about three billion Euros ($3.3 billion), an amount equal to one-third of Albania’s gross domestic product.

Albania was a major cannabis producer in Europe three years ago, when the government made disrupting the market a priority.