The French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, announced the launch of several new “big clean-up” operations against drug trafficking in France on Monday, March 25. These simultaneous operations took place in Lille, Lyon, Dijon, and the Paris region, specifically in Sevran (Seine-Saint-Denis) and Colombes (Hauts-de-Seine). A total of 15,000 police officers, gendarmes, and customs officers will be mobilized this week in France for these operations, according to the Ministry of the Interior. By the evening, Darmanin announced that 496 people had been arrested as part of these operations, including the one in Marseille on March 19.
Darmanin mentioned that the ultimate goal was to arrest 850 individuals, highlighting the importance of showing all residents, especially those in disadvantaged neighborhoods, that security is for everyone. He also stated that similar operations would be carried out in other metropolitan areas in the coming days and weeks. He emphasized the importance of combatting drug trafficking to prevent France from falling into the hands of drug traffickers, likening it to tackling an octopus by targeting its head. In the northern regions of France, including Lille, Tourcoing, and Roubaix, where nearly 900 police officers were mobilized, a focus on multidisciplinary crime was noted, with significant seizures of drugs, weapons, and cash.
In Lyon, Darmanin highlighted the operation in the Tonkin district of Villeurbanne. The government’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to tackle the territorial wars for control of drug dealing and criminal activities in various urban areas. In Marseille, where President Macron visited and emphasized the need to tackle drug trafficking, there were significant seizures and arrests made in the fight against drug trafficking. The challenges posed by criminal organizations in Marseille were highlighted by local magistrates who expressed concerns about the escalating violence and power of drug cartels in the city.
The situation in Marseille was described as a “narcoville” by magistrates dealing with organized crime, who warned of the ongoing struggles between the state and drug traffickers. The city witnessed a surge in violence related to territorial disputes over drug dealing points, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. The alarming situation prompted the government to take action and mobilize law enforcement agencies to crack down on drug trafficking networks. The ongoing operations aim to disrupt the activities of drug traffickers and address the underlying issues fueling criminal activities in these urban areas. Overall, the government’s efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex challenges posed by drug trafficking in various regions of France.
