France to boost police and courts in fight against rising drug scourge

RFI

8 November 2024 at 11:41 am·1-min read

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Justice Minister Didier Migaud attend a press conference at the Bouches-du-Rhone prefecture in Marseille on 8 November, 2024.

France rolled out new strategies to combat drug trafficking on Friday during a visit by the interior and justice ministers to Marseille – a city scarred by a brutal gang war. The proposals include increased staffing, a national coordination unit and expanded powers for specialised courts.

Speaking in the soutjern city – which has become the battleground for a deadly drug trafficking war between rival gangs – Justice Minister Didier Migaud announced plans to establish a "national coordination unit" under the Paris public prosecutor's office within the coming weeks.

This unit will assess drug trafficking threats, develop operational strategies, and oversee their implementation, with a task force comprising magistrates and officials from the interior, finance and criminal analysis sectors.

A task force will include magistrates and representatives from the relevant ministries – particularly the interior and finance – along with criminal analysts.

The unit is intended as a precursor to a national public prosecutor’s office specifically focused on organised crime, though this will require parliamentary approval.

Increased resources

Migaud stated that the Paris public prosecutor’s team working on organised crime cases will see a 40 percent increase in personnel.

Additionally, inter-regional courts (JIRS) throughout France, especially in Marseille, will maintain current staffing levels.

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Increased resources

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