Albania had for a long time been the largest producer of cannabis in Europe, which had hindered the country's effort to join the European Union.

As a result of Albania's EU aspirations, Prime Minister Edi Rama initiated a country wide crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation.

A report by the landmine monitor in 2001 states that General Karoli had recovered 5,350 anti mines[clarification needed], which had been locked in tunnels since the civil unrest, "from the former rebel stronghold of Lazarat".

Heavily armed gang members responded with fire from automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenades and mortar shells.

According to law enforcement officials, a significant portion of the gunfire originated from two houses suspected of containing large caches of weapons.

Within the community, numerous drug gang members were observed firing weapons from strategic positions, utilizing resources from at least four underground armament deposits previously belonging to the military and readily accessible from the village.

Albania's interior minister Saimir Tahiri told AP News that the police operations would continue until "every square centimeter in Lazarat is under state control".

As part of the operation, law enforcement officers had searched over thirty homes, resulting in the confiscation of significant quantities of ammunition.

According to official reports, a total of 25.4 metric tons of marijuana and 91,000 cannabis plants, as well as four drug-manufacturing facilities, were destroyed after authorities searched 162 structures.

Notably, law enforcement officials discovered a ton of marijuana concealed within a water tank in an underground storage room in one of the homes.

In addition, authorities seized 20 heavy firearms, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and numerous rocket-propelled grenades during the operation.

[6] Deutsche Welle reporter Angelina Verbica wrote "is probably no coincidence that a week ahead of the decision in Brussels the police in Albania brought a stronghold of for the growing of marihuana under control.