While France records five times more cocaine seizures than ten years ago, the Ministers of Justice, Didier Migaud, and of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, unveiled on Friday November 8 in Marseille a plan to fight against drug trafficking. Among the measures proposed, and which must be validated in Parliament, the creation of a “ new national prosecutor’s office », more resources for the police and justice, but also more international cooperation. Victims’ families remain skeptical.
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With our special correspondent in Marseille,Victor Willaume
Ministers Didier Migaud and Bruno Retailleau called for action quickly » in the fight against drug trafficking. In Marseille, the two men, who are not from the same political side, appeared united to unveil their action plan.
A fan of shock phrases, the Minister of the Interior had recently denounced a “ Mexicanization » of the France. In Marseille, Bruno Retailleau remains on the same line and denounces a “ existential threat to our democracy » what does “represent” drug trafficking » : « From now on, the hardest drugs are available everywhere, all the time, in cities, in neighborhoods, in rural areas, in our villages. Today, the tipping point is a rejuvenation of those who kill and are killed. »
Although he utters less sensationalist words, Minister of Justice Didier Migaud now says he is in total harmony with Bruno Retailleau: “ The threat that this organized crime represents is multifaceted, growing, sprawling and affects innocent people. The State’s fight must now be fought on more equal terms. »
About thirty measures
The two ministers then presented around thirty measures. In particular, it is a question of giving more resources to investigators, of allowing better transmission of information, but also of creating a “ national prosecutor’s office » specially dedicated to organized crime. “ It will give much more visibility and efficiency to the remarkable teams, who already work tirelessly within the Paris public prosecutor’s office, whom we must help and strengthen. », explained Didier Migaud.
Bruno Retailleau also unfolded the system, explaining that he wanted the police to be able to tap directly into the dealers’ wallets: “ The offender who traffickers must be able to be evicted from his accommodation. And the thug who drives a large engine must, once again, be able to explain the financing of his vehicle. »
A handful of measures will a priori be implemented quickly by the government, such as the strengthening of anti-crime teams. But most will first have to be validated by Parliament, through a text presented at the beginning of next year. The Minister of the Interior says to himself “certain » that this text, which finds its origins on the right and left of the political spectrum, will find a very large majority in Parliament.
Families of victims welcome effort but remain skeptical
But on the side of those mainly concerned, notably the police and families of drug trafficking victimswe prefer not to get too carried away.
Laetitia’s life changed three years ago when she “lost a 14-year-old nephew, who was shot by stray bullets on August 18, 2021 “. Like other families of victims, she attentively attended the press conference of the two ministers: “It’s a start. Afterwards, we know that it will not be stopped in a year or two. Even they are aware of it and have said it : the problem is not going to be solved with the wave of a magic wand. »
The ministers announced more resources for justice and the police, in particular with around a hundred additional police officers in Marseille.
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The police doubt a budget which may not follow
This perspective was received rather favorably by the police, as evidenced by Fabien Vanhemelryckgeneral secretary of the Alliance police union: “The political signal given is a good one, to want to eradicate a scourge which is rumbling in the country. »
But the policeman expresses great reservations: “ We know what it costs and we know the resources required. We cannot have a budget increasing by 600 million euros on the Ministry of the Interior and do such things, it is impossible. We need thousands of additional staff and we need billions. »
The police officer, however, welcomes certain good ideas, such as the creation of a national prosecutor’s office entirely dedicated to organized crime, which will allow ” better flow of information “. The Minister of Justice himself recognizes that this fight against drug trafficking “ will take years, 10, 15, 20 years maybe “.
Also read“We cannot be satisfied with seeing so many young people die in a war on drugs”