Source: Reuter May 12 Italy seizes $34 million of drugs in Albanian boats ROME, May 12 (Reuter) Police arrested eight Albanians on Monday on charges of smuggling marijuana with a street value of some $34 million into Italy by boat. Police said they found the drugs when they intercepted at least six boats bringing illegal immigants to Italy on the southeastern coast between the towns of Brindisi and Lecce. Nearly 580 kilos (1,300 lb) of the drug were seized on different vessels. A further 126 Albanian illegal immigrants were detained in the operation and were likely to be sent home. More than 15,000 Albanians have crossed the Adriatic Sea to Italy since shady Albanian investment schemes collapsed in March, sparking widespread violence in the south of the Balkan country. Italian customs police have seized some 3,000 kilos (6,600 lb) of drugs from Albanian immigrant boats this year. Italian investigators say Albania has rapidly become a prime site for the cultivation and smuggling of marijuana.