Anti-Drug Trafficking Law: French Parliament Approves a Sweeping Reform with Tough New Measures

On Tuesday, April 29, the French Parliament definitively passed an ambitious bill aimed at combating drug trafficking, the result of a rare cross-party consensus. Championed by Senators Étienne Blanc (Les Républicains) and Jérôme Durain (Socialist Party), the reform was adopted in a final vote at the National Assembly with 396 votes in favor and 68 against. Only members of La France Insoumise, a few Green MPs, and four Communist deputies opposed it, denouncing the bill as overly repressive. The Senate had unanimously approved the text the previous day.

Described by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau as a “powerful response” to the drug trade, the law is being hailed as a political victory for the government and a rare legislative success in a tense parliamentary climate.

“A major step forward,” tweeted Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, while Prime Minister François Bayrou praised a “united France” confronting a national scourge.

Strengthened Judicial Arsenal

The flagship measure of the reform is the creation of a National Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (Pnaco), modeled after France’s anti-terrorism and financial prosecution offices. Set to begin operations in January 2026, the Pnaco will handle the most serious cases and coordinate local jurisdictions. It will be supported by a new interministerial task force based in Nanterre, near Paris.

At the same time, a new prison regime will be implemented through high-security units designated for the most dangerous traffickers. Inspired by Italy’s anti-mafia laws, this regime includes stricter detention conditions, limited phone access, and systematic body searches. The first of these prison units will open in Vendin-le-Vieil (Pas-de-Calais) by the end of July.

Special Investigation Techniques and Digital Surveillance

Another controversial provision is the introduction of a “sealed file”, or separate investigative report, used to conceal sensitive information from suspects and their lawyers—particularly relating to surveillance methods. Following recommendations from the Council of State, this mechanism has been tightly regulated: such evidence may only be used for a conviction under exceptional circumstances.

The law also authorizes remote activation of electronic devices for surveillance purposes, though this excludes certain protected professions such as journalists, lawyers, MPs, and doctors. Additionally, the bill introduces a trial phase for algorithmic intelligence gathering, allowing mass data analysis to identify potential threats—an approach criticized by privacy advocates as a step toward mass surveillance.

Infiltration, Informants, and Sensitive Zones

The reform also seeks to improve infiltration of criminal networks with two major changes: a more lenient status for repentant criminals, who may now receive sentence reductions of up to two-thirds, and the creation of a new civil informant status. These paid informants will be allowed to infiltrate drug networks under strict conditions, in coordination with the Pnaco, and must commit to a monitored reintegration path. Any criminal offense during the ten-year monitoring period would reactivate previous sentences.

Prefects will also gain expanded powers, such as imposing area bans on individuals linked to drug activity and ordering the administrative closure of businesses suspected of money laundering for up to one year.

Persistent Criticism from the Left

Despite broad support, the law continues to face strong opposition from the left. MPs from La France Insoumise, along with some Socialists and Greens, have voiced concern over what they see as a drift toward punitive justice at the expense of prevention and civil liberties. Several groups have announced plans to refer the law to the Constitutional Council.

“This law will solve nothing,” argued LFI deputy Antoine Léaument, advocating instead for the legalization of cannabis and increased resources for judicial police.