The Ministers of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and of Justice Didier Migaud are in Marseille this Friday, November 8, to announce measures intended to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking. A growing scourge against which the executive calls for a “general mobilization”.
And if they chose Marseille to unveil this plan, it is because the Marseille city is the scene of a bloody turf war between drug trafficking gangs, DZ Mafia and Yoda for control of drug sales points.
Last spring, Marseille magistrates sounded the alarm, believing that the country was losing the war against drug trafficking. So Retailleau and Migaud came to Marseille, “ward off fate” to fight against this organized crime. “There is no fatality”, assured Didier Migaud.
“Hit criminals in the wallet”, new laws, national prosecutor’s office…
The two ministers assured that this problem will not be resolved in a few days. For them, it is a “national cause, a fight that will take years”. “It's the fight of ten, fifteen or twenty years. We can win it but it will be difficult. He will have to engage all the forces of the State. We need national unity”, demanded Bruno Retailleau.
Two aspects of this fight “against The Octopus” were presented. The first part presented by Didier Migaud is structured around five points: prevent, investigate, prosecute, judge and punish. On the prevention side, actions against consumers and communication campaigns will be put in place. All to create a “electroshock” among the population. For the investigation, digital investigation techniques may be deployed and European partners will be mobilized, particularly in terms of cooperation on extraditions. A fourth dedicated European magistrate will be appointed.
In parallel with these actions, and “true national prosecutor’s office” dedicated to the fight against organized crime will be created. Its creation will take place through law which should arrive very quickly in the Senate and the National Assembly. Five additional judge positions will be created in Paris, as will the staff of the Paris public prosecutor's office increased to 40%. “The workforce will be protected, just like the prosecution“, promised the Minister of Justice. Finally, in prison, a “fine detection system for inmates at the top of the spectrum will be generalized”. Isolation places will also be created. This will involve better identifying the “network heads” who issue their orders from prison. The “criminals” will be “hit in the wallet”: their residences may be seized and used for social reception.
A repentant status in this area will also be created. The scope of specially composed assize courts, like the courts dedicated to terrorism, could be extended to this type of crime. A measure which “would remove the risk of pressure being exerted on the jurors with a view to guiding the final judicial decision”. Fines for consumers will be systematized.
The financial assets of traffickers in the viewfinder, a repentant status created
Bruno Retailleau assured that this fight will require a “new administrative organization” within the Ministry of the Interior. OFAST's resources will also be strengthened, to “pilot, coordinate and investigate”. For him, this fight will also involve the protection of investigators who are in contact with informants. A specific status of repentant in the field of drug trafficking should be created.
To fight “on equal terms”, the ministers also believe that the financial aspect of this trafficking must be better reprimanded. Thus, on the assets of traffickers, an asset study may be obligatory and their property may be seized. The Prefect will see his powers reinforced to close businesses that engage in money laundering. The tenant of Beauvau wished to create “an injunction to prove unexplained income” in “reversing the burden of proof”. A emergency procedure should make it possible to freeze assets very quicklyand bans on appearing on and around the deal point may be imposed.
Like what is already happening in Nice, the trafficker could be evicted from their accommodation and social assistance could be cut. This cutting system will also be systematized. The fight against home delivery will take place through Pharos. And to avoid the risk of corruption, suspected public officials may have their police custody extended for up to 96 hours.
For ministers, the time has come for national mobilization on this “existential” threat against institutions and democracy, said Bruno Retailleau. “The Octopus threatens the fundamental interests of the nation. It is not too late to react”he warned.
