The 35 recommendations made by members of the Senate’s inquiry commission on drug trafficking, spread across 603 pages of the report released on Tuesday, May 14, are a call for a general rearmament in the fight against drugs. The goal is to strengthen legislative measures, provide additional resources to investigators, and overhaul specialized services such as the public prosecutor’s office, courts, police, and intelligence agencies. The report also proposes the creation of a National Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office (Pnast) modeled after the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office and the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office, as well as specialized courts for murders committed by organized crime groups and judges specializing in organized crime.
Inspired by Italian anti-mafia legislation, the senators recommend the creation of a new crime of criminal association for the preparation of crimes specified in the criminal procedure code. They also emphasize the importance of enhancing investigation and prosecution processes, including the establishment of a “safe file” procedure to protect the effectiveness of special investigation techniques. The report calls for stricter regulation of procedural nullities to ensure a more effective legal framework for drug trafficking cases.
The use of informants and repentant individuals is seen as crucial for anti-drug investigations, with proposed changes to their status aimed at expanding their role and protection under the new National Anti-Drug Prosecutor’s Office. This includes creating a “civil infiltration” scheme for informants, along with reduced sentences and enhanced protection for cooperating witnesses. The report highlights the importance of leveraging these individuals as valuable assets in the fight against drug trafficking.
The report also recommends making it easier to confiscate criminal assets, with measures such as implementing a procedure for unexplained wealth injunctions, freezing and seizing the assets of drug traffickers, and allowing for civil confiscation without a criminal conviction. The proposal to target drug traffickers financially is emphasized throughout the report, with a focus on hitting them where it hurts the most – their wallets. The aim is to disrupt the financial incentives of drug trafficking operations and cripple their ability to continue their illegal activities.
The recommendations put forward by the Senate report underscore the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to combat drug trafficking, including legislative reforms, enhanced investigative techniques, and improved operational capacities for law enforcement agencies. By strengthening the legal framework, empowering investigators, and targeting the financial assets of drug traffickers, the report seeks to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks operating in France. The proposed measures aim to provide a more effective and strategic response to the growing threat of drug trafficking, with a focus on prevention, deterrence, and enforcement efforts.
