France's interior and justice ministers were headed to Marseille on Friday to spearhead the government's response to a spiralling drug crisis that has fuelled gang violence across the country.
The illicit drug trade, now estimated to generate between €3.5 and €6 billion annually, has provoked brutal turf wars between rival criminal networks.
In Marseille, where gang score-settling has been particularly deadly, authorities are alarmed by the growing involvement of teenage hitmen as young as 14.
"The state is losing its grip. It’s only a matter of days before someone within the justice chain is abducted or killed," a lawyer specialising in drug-related cases told the French press agency AFP.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Justice Minister Didier Migaud have been tasked by the prime minister with delivering "clear directives for immediate mobilisation and increased resources", French daily Le Figaro reported.
Retailleau has vowed a "long and relentless war" on drug trafficking, with new legislation expected in early 2025, addressing what he describes as the "Mexicanisation" of France.
He wants the government to take up, and strengthen, the proposals of a Senate inquiry into the impact of narcotics.
Migaud, echoing Retailleau’s stance, called for a "very firm response from the state" as part of what has been a predominantly security-focused approach to drug-related issues for over 30 years.
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'Violence begets violence'
Retailleau’s commitment to tougher measures has not been without criticism.
"There’s a general push for repressive policies. But if we don’t adapt penalties, the issues won’t be resolved," a magistrate who has worked extensively on narcotics cases told AFP.
He warned that "violence begets violence" and criticised past high-profile anti-drug operations, such as former interior minister Gérald Darmanin’s "Place nette XXL" initiative – a large-scale operation launched by the government to combat drug trafficking and enhance public safety in Marseille – calling it "pure show" that failed to address root problems.
"It’s like chasing pigeons – it doesn’t get rid of them. It’s just political spectacle," the magistrate said.
Some policymakers are in favour of expanding the powers of the French anti-narcotics agency, Ofast, suggesting it could operate more like the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the United States.
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But others say Ofast’s role in judicial matters is already extensive and further powers might clash with France’s legal structure, which places judicial oversight under the authority of prosecutors and investigating judges.
Recent events underscore the scale of the crisis, such as the escape of high-profile criminal Mohamed Amra – which saw the deaths of two prison officers – and a public “press conference” by Marseille’s DZ Mafia gang. These illustrate that “institutions are no longer secure", a judicial expert told AFP.
Former justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti has previously proposed the idea of a dedicated national crime prosecutor’s office – an idea that has attracted some support.
Migaud agreed this "could be a solution", but said ultimately the decision should be left to parliament.
(with AFP)
