Albania is mentioned for the first time ever with concern in the annual European Drug Report, published today by the European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

The report is based on information EMCDDA receives from EU member countries, candidate Turkey and Norway. Unlike last year, when Albania was not mentioned, in 2017 it is mentioned for the cultivation of cannabis and for being an important hub of traffic in Europe.

“Recent reports indicate changes in cannabis trafficking routes, with increases in the trafficking of both herbal cannabis and cannabis oil from the western Balkans, notably Albania, linked to increased cannabis cultivation in those countries. In addition, evidence suggests that Libya has become a major hub for the trafficking of resin to various destinations including Europe”, the report says.