2024-11-17 08:00:00
CRS intervention on a deal point, in the Félix-Pyat city, in Marseille, April 4, 2023. GILLES BADER/LA PROVENCE/MAXPPP
It was a week of crime chronicle where horror and banality intertwine. For a few days, at the end of October and the beginning of November, tragedies linked to drug trafficking followed one another from one side of France to the other. A 5-year-old child injured in the head by a stray bullet in Rennes; an 18-year-old man and another 22-year-old killed during two attacks near nightclubs in Drôme; a 15-year-old boy died of a gunshot to the head in front of a kebab shop in Poitiers.
These events served as a trigger for a martial political communication from the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, describing “tipping point” the French situation regarding drug trafficking. A statement of urgency, boosted with new portmanteau words (“narco-scum”, «narco-enclaves»), then announcements, Friday November 8, aimed at updating the legal arsenal for fighting organized crime.
Was this fall week a tipping point on its own? The statistical elements and analyzes of specialist investigators in reality outline the contours of a situation that has gradually become out of control over recent years. Criminal organizations are extending their territorial influence as far as they exceed the limits of cruelty, in the context of a booming illicit market, driven by increased demand, particularly for stimulating products.
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“The significant deterioration of the situation is marked by violence linked to rapidly increasing trafficking and a very high availability of narcotics”analyzes Christian de Rocquigny, interim head of the Anti-Narcotics Office (Ofast). He underlines, echoing the notes from the specialized services, that “this deterioration occurred at the time when cocaine flooded the Atlantic coast en masse”with seizures of 5.6 tonnes in 2013, 17 tonnes in 2017, 26 tonnes in 2021, before a record figure expected for the year 2024.
It is therefore over more than ten years that the influence of drug trafficking has taken on an unprecedented scale, reinforced, in the post-Covid-19 period, by the development of means of distance selling and the rise of synthetic drugs. “In parallel with the influx of cocaine, which is bringing in record profits, new, more violent criminal methods have also arrived on our territory”continues Mr. de Rocquigny. A “toggle” progressive, already documented, which has found, in recent months, a particular acceleration as the protagonists of trafficking gain strength.
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How can authorities ensure that their efforts against drug trafficking lead to long-term improvements in community safety?
**Interview with David Marceau, Crime Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, David. In light of the recent tragedies linked to drug trafficking in France, especially in Marseille, what do you make of President Macron’s decision to launch a weeks-long anti-drug operation there?
**David Marceau:** Thank you for having me. President Macron’s initiative is certainly a response to a distressing surge in violence associated with drug trafficking. The events in recent weeks, where innocent lives were lost from stray bullets, indicate just how dire the situation has become. The operation in Marseille might be seen as an attempt to both restore safety in the city and signal to the public that the government is taking these issues seriously.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the spike in violence. The Minister of the Interior recently referred to this as a “tipping point.” How accurate do you think that assessment is?
**David Marceau:** It’s a strong statement, and I would say that it captures the alarming nature of the current crisis. While it may not be the absolute tipping point, it certainly reflects years of escalating violence and crime, driven by the growing influence of organized crime groups across France. This is not a new issue; it’s been evolving for years, and the recent incidents have brought it into sharp focus.
**Interviewer:** With the operation in Marseille, what specific strategies do you believe the authorities should implement to effectively combat drug trafficking and its associated violence?
**David Marceau:** First and foremost, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Law enforcement needs to be bolstered with intelligence-sharing, community engagement, and preventative measures. Second, addressing the root causes of drug addiction and providing support to communities can be crucial. Lastly, updating legal frameworks to address organized crime more efficiently will help law enforcement do their jobs effectively. It’s important that this operation not only targets the symptoms but also the underlying issues contributing to drug trafficking.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, do you think these efforts could lead to a significant reduction in drug-related violence in Marseille and beyond?
**David Marceau:** It’s hard to say definitively. While operations like these can provide temporary respite and disrupt criminal activities, they must be part of a long-term strategy. Sustained governmental commitment, community involvement, and socio-economic improvements are vital to create lasting change. If executed properly, we could start to see a change over time, but it will require ongoing efforts and vigilance.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, David. It’s clear that the fight against drug trafficking in France is complex and will require a collaborative effort from multiple fronts.
**David Marceau:** Absolutely. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.
