French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to wage "war" against drug trafficking during a visit to Marseille, tripling fines for drug users to €500 and promising to pursue criminal network leaders blamed for deadly violence in France's second-largest city.
Speaking during a day-long visit focused on security Tuesday, Macron said France would not back down in its fight against narcotics.
He inaugurated a new police station in Marseille, met police officers and paid tribute to families of young people killed in drug-related violence.
Macron spent nearly two hours at the newly opened station, where officers questioned him about the anti-drug trafficking law adopted several months ago but still only partly applied because some decrees have not yet been published.
“We are waiting for the law to be fully implemented,” a police officer told the president, saying the missing measures were needed to target the highest levels of organised crime.
“I am fully aware of that. We are not going to let go,” Macron replied.
The president defended his record, saying extra resources were already being deployed.
“We have added 300 police officers net to Marseille and a new national prosecutor’s office will be in place from 5 January,” he said.
Earlier in the day, during a public discussion with readers of the regional daily La Provence, Macron promised to take on drug networks that “kill innocent young people to intimidate and spread fear.”
He said there was “no chance” the criminal networks would win.
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A city scarred by violence
Macron also visited the grave of Mehdi Kessaci, who was killed on 13 November at the age of 20. His brother, Amine Kessaci, is known as an anti-drug trafficking activist.
“We are all thinking of the Kessaci family, his mother, his brothers and his sisters,” Macron said.
The killing shocked Marseille, a city long marked by violence linked to the drug trade. The number of people killed has fallen over the past two years, with 17 deaths recorded in the department this year, compared with 24 last year and 50 in 2023.
Macron also met the mother of Socayna, a young student who was killed by a stray bullet in 2023 while studying in her room, a case that deeply affected the city.
During his visit, Macron also said France would strengthen cooperation with countries where the leaders of drug trafficking networks operate, with the aim of seizing their assets and arresting them.
He said this cooperation was needed to target those directing operations from abroad.
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Higher fines for users
As part of the crackdown, Macron announced that the fixed fine for drug use would rise to €500 euros, up from 200. He has repeatedly criticised drug users for their role in sustaining the trade.
“I am sick of mourning young people and, in the same neighbourhoods, seeing others who think it is festive to go and buy drugs,” he said.
Marseille’s mayor, Benoit Payan, said the measure would not be enough on its own. The increase “will not put an end to trafficking”, he said, adding that his main enemies were traffickers “with blood on their hands”.
He also called for more resources to restore public services in deprived neighbourhoods affected by drug dealing.
A specialist in public drug policy, Yann Bisiou, warned that the higher fine risked being ineffective against the booming cocaine trade.
“It is a fine that targets a particular category of the population and consumers,” Bisiou told RFI.
Macron ended the day by inaugurating the expansion of Marseille’s Baumettes prison, keeping security at the centre of his visit.
