France Passes Tough New Law Targeting Drug Kingpins with High-Security Prison Measures
Paris, The Gulf Observer: In a bold move to curb the rising tide of drug-related crime, France’s parliament has passed a new law that will see some of the country’s most dangerous drug traffickers confined in high-security prison units beginning this July. The legislation, inspired by Italy’s anti-mafia model, was approved by a majority in the National Assembly late Tuesday, following Senate backing on Monday.
The law is a notable victory for Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and Justice Minister Bruno Retailleau, both of whom have championed a harder stance on narcotics. Retailleau had earlier warned of a “white tsunami” of drug trafficking threatening French society.
Under the new framework, top-tier traffickers will be incarcerated in two specially designated high-security prisons. The law also establishes a national prosecutor’s office and investigative unit to handle France’s most complex narcotics cases.
Significantly, the law grants prosecutors the ability to withhold certain investigation techniques from suspects and their lawyers in narrowly defined cases. This provision, however, has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing parties, particularly France Unbowed, which voted against the bill, citing concerns over civil liberties and the right to defense.
Despite opposition, the government hailed the bill’s passage as a critical milestone. “This is a big step forward in the war against drugs,” Darmanin stated. Retailleau echoed the sentiment, describing the law as a “decisive stage” in combating criminal networks that “poison the lives of our fellow citizens.”
The legislation underscores France’s escalating efforts to dismantle drug cartels and restore security in areas plagued by trafficking and gang violence.
