ALBANIA-DRUGS-CRIME-POLICE

Albanian Special Forces police climb a mountain to surround the village of Lazarat, south of Tirana, on June 16, 2014. Suspected drug traffickers fired heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on June 16 at Albanian police attempting to enter a village renowned for its mass cannabis production, authorities said. Police said at least 500 officers tried to access Lazarat, 240 kilometres (150 miles) south of Tirana, in order to destroy the village's drug stockpile. The force came under heavy arms fire, including anti-tank rockets, it said. According to Italian police the village produces 900 tonnes of cannabis each year worth some 4.5 billion euros ($6.1 billion) -- equivalent to almost half of Albania's gross domestic product. AFP PHOTO / GENT SHKULLAKU (Photo credit should read GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP via Getty Images)