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 can local authorities improve their response to drug-related incidents in the current strategy?
**Interview with Jean-François Ricard on France’s Anti-Drug Trafficking Strategy**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Ricard. As the former head of the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, you have a unique perspective on the recent plan unveiled by the French government to combat drug trafficking. What are your thoughts on this initiative?
**Jean-François Ricard:** Thank you for having me. I think it’s encouraging that the government is finally addressing the issue of drug trafficking, particularly since the previous administration had left the matter unattended. However, while it’s a step in the right direction, I believe the judicial system needs urgent modernization and enhancement. The measures proposed seem somewhat vague, and we need a clearer, more actionable framework.
**Editor:** In your view, what specific elements are missing from the government’s announcements regarding drug trafficking?
**Jean-François Ricard:** The government’s plan lacks clarity in terms of execution and coordination. For effective intervention, we need decentralization, which allows local authorities to respond more swiftly to drug-related incidents. There must also be a structure in place that ensures someone is designated to make decisive calls and support magistrates in their efforts. As highlighted in my report, a dedicated national organized crime prosecutor’s office would greatly improve our response capabilities.
**Editor:** You emphasized the importance of a national organized crime prosecutor’s office in your report. How do you believe this would change the current approach to drug trafficking in France?
**Jean-François Ricard:** Establishing a national office specifically for organized crime would mean having specialized knowledge and resources that cater to the complexities of drug trafficking. This structure could foster better coordination among different judicial and law enforcement bodies. It would also enable a more unified strategy against trafficking networks, ensuring our responses are both swift and effective.
**Editor:** Considering your extensive background in prosecuting terrorism and organized crime, what do you see as the primary challenges facing France in this battle against drug trafficking?
**Jean-François Ricard:** The primary challenge is adapting our judicial and law enforcement frameworks to the evolving nature of drug trafficking networks, which are increasingly sophisticated and adaptive. We also need to prioritize resources towards prevention and rehabilitation, not just prosecution. Balancing these aspects is crucial if we want to make a significant impact.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Ricard. It’s clear that the fight against drug trafficking requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach, and your expertise is invaluable in shaping the future policies.
**Jean-François Ricard:** Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how these discussions evolve and hope for swift action to improve our judicial system’s response to organized crime.
