The Minister of the Interior took advantage of a press conference in Marseille this Friday to propose a measure targeting the assets of drug traffickers.
“Al Capone came across a tax investigation and not a narcotics investigation, we must hit the wallet,” declared Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, with the approval of the Ministry of Justice represented by Didier Migaud. The two ministers were present this Friday in Marseille during a special press conference to fight against drug trafficking.
The Minister of the Interior calls for “scanning all assets and emergency measures to freeze the assets” of drug traffickers. And if fraudulent operations are detected, Bruno Retailleau proposes sanctions such as an “emergency administrative procedure for freezing assets” and a “ban on appearing at deal points”, or even up to the expulsion of his accommodation.
Subject vehicle rental companies to the obligations of verifying the origins of funds, he continues, affirming that “the gendarmes and the police know very well what I want to talk about”. The objective being to “reverse the burden of proof” and asking drivers of “large engines” to provide proof of their acquisition.
“We must give businesses the powers to close laundering businesses.”
An annual turnover estimated between 3.5 and 6 billion euros
The two men chose to reveal their plan against organized crime in the Marseille city, the scene of a bloody turf war between drug trafficking gangs. “The threat has increased and requires the State to arm itself more,” said the Minister of Justice in an interview with Provence Friday, who wants to “act immediately to provide a firm response”.
“Seizures of cocaine have increased fivefold in ten years, the hardest drugs are available in all territories and all the time. The rejuvenation of people who kill and who are killed is appalling. Drug trafficking is a root cause of violence and corruption,” added Bruno Retailleau. After several deadly shootings linked to drug trafficking, the Minister of the Interior had promised a long and merciless “war” against this trafficking, whose turnover is estimated between 3.5 and six billion euros per year. In France.
“The fight against drug banditry is a major national cause and we must change gear. But does the budgetary context allow it?” asks a judicial source contacted by AFP.
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