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Coordinated Attacks Target French Prisons Amid Drug Trafficking Crackdown
Seven prisons across France have been targeted in coordinated machine-gun and arson attacks, reportedly orchestrated by drug gangs. These brazen assaults are believed to be a response to the nation’s stringent new measures against the trafficking of illegal narcotics and represent a significant challenge to the French justice system and prison security.
Widespread Prison Attacks
Since Sunday, penal institutions in Toulon, Aix-En-Provence, Marseille, Valence, and Nîmes in southern France, along with facilities in Villepinte and Nanterre near Paris, have come under attack. The coordinated nature of these incidents suggests a deliberate and organized campaign.
Details of the Assaults
Reports indicate that police vehicles were torched at several locations. At La Farlede prison, assailants used a Kalashnikov rifle to unleash gunfire on the main gate. Evidence of the attacks included:
- Bullet holes marking prison entrances
- Shattered glass in window frames
Call for Increased Staff Protection
French police unions have voiced concerns and are urgently requesting enhanced security measures to protect prison personnel in the wake of these violent incidents. The attacks have raised serious questions about the safety and security of prison staff and the vulnerability of correctional facilities.
Anti-Terrorism Investigation Launched
The French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has initiated a formal inquiry into the attacks to determine the perpetrators and their motives. The involvement of the anti-terrorism unit underscores the gravity with which the French authorities are treating these incidents.
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Government Response and Condemnation
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin affirmed that “significant resources” would be allocated to investigate the series of attacks. He pledged “extremely severe sentences” for those found responsible, labeling the attacks as “terrorist attacks.”
Minister’s Statement
“I am pleased that the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has intervened because this is extremely serious. These are terrorist attacks,” Minister Darmanin stated, emphasizing the severity of the situation to CNews/Europe 1 broadcaster.
He further elaborated, “Clearly, individuals are attempting to destabilize the state through intimidation.”
Minister Darmanin connected the attacks to recent government actions, stating, “They are acting because we are taking measures to combat the permissiveness that previously existed within prisons.”
Possible Motives and Identifying Marks
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, symbols associated with anarchism have been observed at some locations. Additionally, the acronym ‘DDPF’, interpreted as ‘French prisoners’ rights’, was found at other sites, suggesting a potential link to prisoner advocacy or organized crime groups using this as a pretext.
Heightened Crackdown on Drug Crime
Minister Darmanin and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau have recently declared their commitment to intensifying the fight against narcotics and associated criminal activities throughout France.
Minister Darmanin highlighted the aim to dismantle “drug networks that continue to operate from behind prison walls.”
He stated, “They orchestrate killings, launder illicit funds, issue threats against law enforcement officers, judges, and prison staff, and facilitate escapes,” underscoring the extensive reach and influence of these prison-based networks.
Proposed Measures to Enhance Prison Security
The Justice Minister has proposed several measures intended to bolster prison security. These include the establishment of dedicated high-security prisons specifically designed to isolate prominent drug kingpins from their criminal organizations, thus aiming to disrupt their operational capabilities.
Legislative Efforts to Combat Drug Crime
The French parliament is currently considering legislation to create a specialized prosecutor’s office focused on drug-related offenses. This new entity would be granted enhanced investigative powers to more effectively tackle the complex challenges posed by drug trafficking and organized crime.
Record Cocaine Seizures Precede Attacks
Notably, France seized a record amount of cocaine in the first eleven months of 2024, totaling 53.5 tonnes. This represents a 130% increase compared to the 23.2 tonnes seized in 2023, indicating a significant escalation in drug trafficking and law enforcement efforts.
Context: Previous Prison Van Attack
These recent attacks follow an incident last year in which assailants targeted a prison van transporting suspected drug kingpin Mohamed Amra at a highway tollbooth. The attack resulted in Amra’s escape and the deaths of two prison guards, highlighting the extreme violence and risks associated with drug-related crime in France.
Mohamed Amra has since been apprehended in Romania and extradited back to France.