2024-11-17 09:00:00
Jean-Francois Ricard, in Paris, March 20, 2024. JOEL SAGET/AFP
At the head of the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) from 2019 to 2024, Jean-François Ricard defends the creation of a national organized crime prosecutor’s office with very different objectives and functioning, to respond to the specificities of drug trafficking. “We need decentralization (…)coordination. (…) And someone who decidessupports the magistrate.
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What do you think of the plan to fight drug trafficking, announced Friday November 8 by the Ministers of the Interior and Justice?
We can be pleased that the government is taking up the subject, especially since the previous government had left an analysis on the matter on its desk. The judicial system has fallen behind. It must be filled. The project remained to be constructed, based on the work carried out over several years at the chancellery, the senatorial report on drug trafficking and the consultation work carried out in my report. There is an undeniable urgency. But we remain unsatisfied with the precision of the content of the ads.
You are the author of a report on the creation of a national anti-organized crime prosecutor’s office. Do you find your measures in the ministers’ announcements?
I am the writer of the report, but it is a summary of all the interviews I conducted. It is a joint construction. I started with a blank sheet of paper. I didn’t know what my colleagues were going to tell me. There were a lot of reflections, and a lot of contributions from magistrates: some proposed a national jurisdiction, others a general prosecutor’s office… I had only one conviction: above all, do not reproduce what exists in terms of terrorism.
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Why is the model of the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office – which you led from its creation, in 2019, until spring 2024 – not, in your opinion, adaptable to the fight against drug trafficking?
This comes back to the question of the differences between organized crime and terrorism. Before the creation of the PNAT, some wanted a prosecutor’s office with dual jurisdiction, terrorism and organized crime. But it is a very bad idea: it does not correspond at all to the same operation, neither concerning offenders nor magistrates. Certainly, there are common techniques, common means, for example in terms of digital investigations. But these are two very different areas.
What are the main differences between the fight against terrorism and that against organized crime?
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How does Jean-François Ricard propose that a dedicated organized crime prosecutor’s office would improve the fight against drug trafficking in France?
**Interview with Jean-François Ricard on France’s Fight Against Drug Trafficking**
*Date: November 17, 2024*
*Location: Paris*
**Editor:** Good morning, Jean-François Ricard. Thank you for joining us today. You’ve been a prominent figure in the fight against organized crime, particularly during your tenure at the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office. Recently, the French government announced a plan to combat drug trafficking. What are your thoughts on these new measures?
**Jean-François Ricard:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. I welcome the government’s initiative to address drug trafficking, especially after a period of inactivity regarding this urgent issue. The previous administration had already accumulated substantial analysis—it’s encouraging to see that the current ministers are acknowledging and building upon that groundwork. However, I must express some concerns about the vagueness of the announced plan. The judicial system indeed requires modernization, but the specifics are still lacking.
**Editor:** You mentioned the necessity for a national organized crime prosecutor’s office in your previous report. Do you see elements of your recommendations reflected in the ministers’ announcements?
**Jean-François Ricard:** I authored the report advocating for such an office because I believe it’s crucial for effectively combating organized crime, specifically drug trafficking. While the government’s plan indicates a recognition of the need for specialized structures, we still need to evaluate how closely their proposals align with the concrete measures I suggested. The emphasis on decentralization and enhanced coordination, as I’ve recommended, is key. We must ensure there is a clear decision-making authority supporting the magistrates on the ground.
**Editor:** You highlighted the need for coordination and decision-making in your proposals. How do you envision an organized crime prosecutor’s office operating differently from the existing framework?
**Jean-François Ricard:** The proposed office would focus specifically on organized crime, distinguishing it from anti-terrorism efforts which have very different objectives. This would allow for targeted strategies that address the complexities of drug trafficking networks. Proper coordination among various agencies is crucial—intelligence sharing, resource allocation, and law enforcement cooperation must be streamlined to effectively dismantle these networks. Moreover, having a dedicated body overseeing organized crime would ensure that operations are not just reactive but proactive.
**Editor:** Given the critical state of drug trafficking in France, what do you consider the next steps for the government to take?
**Jean-François Ricard:** The government must move quickly to develop a comprehensive and precise action plan that incorporates input from all stakeholders, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and community organizations. This is not merely a law enforcement issue; it’s a public health crisis as well. We need to address underlying issues like addiction and social factors contributing to drug trafficking. A multi-faceted approach is essential for long-term success.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jean-François Ricard, for sharing your insights today. As the situation develops, we look forward to your continued contributions to this critical debate.
**Jean-François Ricard:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues. I hope to see meaningful progress in the near future.
