Anti-drug trafficking plan: Key announcements by Bruno Retailleau and Didier Migaud France’s Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and Minister of Justice Didier Migaud unveiled a series of measures to step up the fight against drug traffickers

On Friday November 8 in Marseille, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Justice Minister Didier Migaud unveiled a series of measures to step up the fight against drug traffickers. These initiatives, aimed at transforming the State’s response to organized crime, will however require legislative reforms to take full effect.

A national mobilization against drug trafficking

Bruno Retailleau has called for a national mobilization against drug trafficking.
Bruno Retailleau called for the fight against drug trafficking to become a “national battle,” reinforcing his earlier call for a “general mobilization against organized crime.” The speech comes after several dramatic events linked to drug trafficking in various French cities.

National Coordination Unit

Didier Migaud announced the creation of a national coordination unit to combat this “scourge”. The cell’s mission will be to assess the threat, establish a national strategy and oversee its implementation.

A National Anti-Narcotrafficking Prosecutor’s Office

To centralize investigations and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutions, the Minister of Justice has proposed the creation of a National Prosecutor’s Office dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking, inspired by the anti-terrorism model. This body would facilitate international coordination to target narcotics bosses.

Revision of the “excuse de minorité ”** (excuse for minority)

In order to respond to the involvement of minors in drug trafficking, Didier Migaud wishes to relax the “excuse de minorité” for those over 16 in the most serious cases, and authorize immediate appearances for these young people. This change would also require a new law.

Strengthening Protection for the Repentant

The Minister of Justice is proposing an overhaul of the Protection for the Repentant.
The Minister of Justice is proposing an overhaul of the “repentant” protection system, establishing a “collaborator of justice” status with increased legal incentives to encourage cooperation from former traffickers.

Tackling drug traffickers’ assets

Bruno Retailleau presented a series of measures to hit drug traffickers in the wallet. In particular, he proposes to make it compulsory to open asset investigations, to allow the prefect to close down businesses used for money laundering, and to create an emergency procedure to freeze traffickers’ assets.

Increase in the number of staff at the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office

As part of this plan, the Minister of Justice has announced a 40% increase in the number of staff at the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, to step up the nationwide crackdown on trafficking. Interministerial research units, notably in Marseille, will also benefit from additional resources.

Assize Courts made up of Professional Magistrates

To try drug-trafficking cases and avoid any pressure on jurors, Didier Migaud wants organized crime to be tried by special assize courts made up exclusively of professional magistrates, as is the case in terrorism cases.

Higher fines for consumers

To target demand, the Minister of Justice insisted on the importance of systematically fining drug users. This measure aims to create an electroshock by reducing the number of consumers, without whom drug trafficking networks could not thrive.

With these announcements, the Ministers of the Interior and Justice are aiming for a firmer, coordinated crackdown on drug trafficking networks. These measures are part of an ambition to mobilize the whole nation to eradicate this organized crime.