The French government is preparing to unveil a series of stringent new measures aimed at combating escalating drug trafficking within its borders, with legislation expected before the July 2026 parliamentary session. The proposed laws, announced following a recent surge in narcotics-related violence-including the November killing of anti-drug activist Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille-would align sentencing for drug traffickers with that of terrorism offenses.Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin is spearheading the effort with a bill dubbed “Sure,” as officials signal a commitment to a multi-pronged approach encompassing increased penalties, judicial resources, and preventative measures.
French Government Announces New Measures to Combat Drug Trafficking
l’Opinion (avec AFP)
Paris – The French government is planning a new wave of legislation aimed at bolstering the fight against drug trafficking, with measures expected to be introduced in a bill examined during the first half of 2026. The announcement comes as authorities grapple with a rising tide of narcotics-related crime and its impact on French society.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced Wednesday that the proposed legislation will include aligning sentencing guidelines and conditional release policies for drug traffickers with those applied to terrorists. “These legislative measures are intended to further adapt our arsenal to this threat, notably by aligning the reductions of sentence and the conditional release regime for drug traffickers with that of terrorists,” Lecornu stated during a debate on drug trafficking in the National Assembly.
Following the debate, lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution supporting the government’s approach, a move intended to facilitate the passage of the 2026 budget, which is anticipated to be challenging. A similar debate is scheduled to take place in the Senate Wednesday evening.
The new measures will be included in a bill dubbed “Sure,” presented by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, which aims to ensure “useful, swift, and effective” punishment, according to the Ministry of Justice. The legislation will specifically prohibit release permissions for prisoners held in high-security units, preventing them from being eligible for sentence adjustments before serving two-thirds of their term. Sentence reductions will also be capped at one-third of the original sentence.
The government has pledged a comprehensive crackdown on drug trafficking, with officials emphasizing the collective responsibility in addressing the issue. “We are all concerned. We must all engage in this collective fight,” the Prime Minister insisted.
During the Assembly debate, Darmanin revealed that a decree establishing a “repentant” status for individuals cooperating with authorities will be issued before mid-January. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez highlighted “the problems of attractiveness” within the justice system, noting that addressing these issues “depends largely on the adoption of the budget,” which includes the creation of “700 jobs in the judicial sector, 300 of which will be directly dedicated to combating drug trafficking.”
Concerns over drug use are also growing, with Health Minister Stéphanie Rist reporting that 14.6% of adults aged 18 to 64 have consumed at least one illicit drug other than cannabis in 2023 – a 50% increase since 2017. Rist announced plans for a national prevention campaign in the first quarter of 2026.
The issue of drug trafficking has gained prominence following the November 13th killing of Mehdi Kessaci in Marseille, believed to be an intimidation tactic targeting his brother, Amine, an anti-drug activist. President Emmanuel Macron, during a visit to Marseille Tuesday, reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling drug networks operating from abroad and imposing stricter penalties on drug users.
Lawmaker Agnès Firmin-Le Bodo warned that drug trafficking networks have become “internationalized, structured, and developed to the point of becoming one of the main threats” facing the country. However, Davy Rimane, a lawmaker representing French Guiana, cautioned against solely relying on increased incarceration, arguing that “imprisoning more and more… without prevention policies, without addressing the social causes, will only overcrowd prisons” and “strengthen the networks” that recruit individuals from a society where social mobility is limited.
© Agence France-Presse
