2024-11-08 18:48:00
From left to right: the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, and the Mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, arrive at city hall to announce measures aimed at strengthening the fight against drug trafficking, in Marseille on November 8, 2024. CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP
They want it to be “an electroshock”. The succession, for several weeks, of deadly settling of scores linked to drug trafficking, pushed the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and that of Justice, Didier Migaud, to announce their « plan d’action » against organized crime, Friday November 8, in Marseille. A « cause nationale »according to the regal couple who undertake to “stand together”.
The urgency of the situation did not allow them to innovate on the subject: the numerous measures presented Friday morning therefore strongly resemble the work carried out by the former Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, and to what contains a senatorial bill of July 12. This text, written by senators Jérôme Durain (Socialist Party, Saône-et-Loire) and Etienne Blanc (Les Républicains, Rhône), is based on the work of the senatorial commission on drug trafficking that Mr. Durain chaired and of which M. White was the rapporteur. A report – much commented on – was submitted in May.
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It is a double-detente strategy that the ministers announced, without however giving great details on the implementation modalities or the necessary financial resources. In the short term, measures that do not require recourse to the law; then in the long term, by the first half of 2025, more ambitious measures thanks to a text presented to Parliament, inspired by the senatorial report on drug trafficking.
Reinforced workforce
Regarding the measurements «urgent» and immediate, in the coming weeks a “national coordination unit responsible for drawing up a state of the threat” and of “set an operational strategy and implement it” announced Mr. Migaud. This new body will be attached to the Paris public prosecutor’s office, whose staff working on crime at the national level will be increased by 40%.
Still in the short term, this time under the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior, a series of measures should target consumers as well as sellers of narcotics. Mr. Retailleau intends to establish “bans on appearance” for convicted drug dealers in the neighborhoods where they engaged in this illicit trade. Likewise, social assistance for traffickers will be cut. Also, a communication campaign highlighting the dangers of drugs and the links between its use and organized crime should soon see the light of day.
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**Interview with Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, on France’s New Drug Trafficking Measures**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Retailleau. You and Minister Migaud recently announced a new action plan against drug trafficking in Marseille. Can you explain what prompted this urgent response?
**Bruno Retailleau**: Thank you for having me. The alarming increase in violence linked to drug trafficking—a series of deadly settling of scores—has made it clear that we must take decisive action. Our goal is to deliver an “electroshock” to combat organized crime effectively. This situation is not just concerning; it has become a national emergency that we are committed to addressing together.
**Interviewer**: The measures announced seem to echo previous strategies. Are you suggesting that what has been done before was insufficient to tackle this issue?
**Bruno Retailleau**: While we are building upon past efforts, the urgency of the current crisis demands even stronger actions. The recent history shows that we need to refine our approaches based on those earlier initiatives, which included the work of former Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti and recommendations from the recent senatorial report. We’ve taken what has worked and are enhancing it to ensure more effective outcomes.
**Interviewer**: Can you highlight some of the specific components of this new plan in combating drug trafficking?
**Bruno Retailleau**: Certainly. Our plan includes reinforcing the presence of police and judicial resources in key areas, particularly in cities like Marseille. We will enhance coordination between law enforcement agencies and the justice system to ensure swift and effective legal responses to criminal activities. Additionally, we are focusing on community engagement to address the root causes of drug abuse and trafficking.
**Interviewer**: How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of these new strategies?
**Bruno Retailleau**: We will implement a robust monitoring system to evaluate the impact of our actions continuously. This will involve analyzing crime rates, the number of arrests related to drug trafficking, and assessing community feedback on safety. Adjustments will be made as necessary to ensure that our strategy remains responsive and effective.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Minister Retailleau. Your strong commitment to addressing the drug trafficking crisis in France is evident.
**Bruno Retailleau**: Thank you for having me, and I assure you that we will do everything in our power to restore safety and confidence in our communities.
