French anti-drug authorities have seized nearly 47 tons of cocaine in 2024, marking a historic increase in drug confiscations. Despite these efforts, experts warn that the overall trafficking remains a significant issue. Proposed legislation aims to enhance anti-drug measures, including establishing a specialized prosecutor’s office and isolating top traffickers in secure facilities. Le Havre has become a key site for drug interceptions, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combatting narcotics linked to international trade routes.
In an unprecedented move, French anti-drug authorities have confiscated nearly 47 tons of cocaine in the first 11 months of 2024, as highlighted by Bruno Retailleau on Monday. This significant figure underlines the government’s robust stance against the growing threat of drug trafficking.
“It’s a historic milestone,” Retailleau remarked during his visit to Le Havre, following a major interception of two tons of cocaine found in a container on December 30.
The minister pointed out that cocaine seizures have more than doubled compared to the previous year, with only ’23 tons’ recorded throughout 2023.
Over the past decade, the volume of cocaine seizures has surged tenfold, indicating a persistent challenge in combating drug trafficking.
In addition to cocaine, there has been a notable rise in the seizure of synthetic drugs, with nearly 9 million MDMA and ecstasy pills confiscated—a staggering increase of 122%—alongside 432 kg of amphetamines, which is up by 90%. Conversely, seizures of cannabis and heroin have seen a decline, with 88.8 tons of cannabis (down 15%) and 772 kg of heroin (down 13%), according to information from the Ministry of the Interior.
Despite these substantial drug seizures, experts suggest that such efforts have minimal impact on the overall trafficking situation, as they represent just a small portion of the narcotics that infiltrate and circulate within France.
Retailleau described the situation as a ‘flood’ of drugs, acknowledging that stable drug prices, despite record seizures, indicate a continued influx of narcotics into the country.
To tackle drug trafficking more effectively, he emphasized a need for significant reinforcements, similar to the measures taken a decade ago against terrorism. He defended the proposed legislation aimed at combating drug trafficking, which is set to be discussed in the Senate starting January 28.
Enhancing Anti-Drug Efforts
The proposed legislation aims to establish a ‘national specialized anti-crime prosecutor’s office,’ inspired by the national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office, along with additional tools to combat money laundering and corruption.
This strategy is designed to ensure that authorities can finally confront drug traffickers on equal footing, addressing the persistent lag that has been observed in previous efforts.
Retailleau also backed Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s initiative to place the top 100 drug traffickers in secure facilities. He argued that isolating the most dangerous offenders in specialized prisons is crucial, as many penitentiaries have vulnerabilities that allow these criminals to continue their operations even from behind bars.
Furthermore, he announced the appointment of a new head for the Anti-Drug Office (Ofast) effective February 1, following a six-month vacancy in this vital role.
Le Havre has emerged as a significant site for drug seizures in 2024, having intercepted 13 tons of cocaine, amounting to 78% of all port seizures in the country.
The minister noted the introduction of a mobile scanner and the planned establishment of a Port Cross, an operational intelligence unit focused on narcotics.
“Le Havre serves as a key hub and major infrastructure for international trade, and it is evident that narcotics closely follow these trade routes,” he stated alongside Le Havre’s mayor, Édouard Philippe.
Philippe reinforced the state’s security positions, condemning drug traffickers for their actions that threaten, kidnap, corrupt, and kill, and expressed his commitment to supporting port workers in this ongoing battle against drug-related crime.