Overview

• The National Assembly reinstated a measure extending police custody for drug couriers ('mules') to 120 hours, which had been removed earlier in committee discussions.
• Amendments approved include harsher penalties for trafficking offenses involving weapons and a ban on French territory for foreign nationals convicted of drug trafficking with sentences of at least five years.
• Legislation now criminalizes public advocacy of criminal organizations and unexplained wealth linked to organized crime, with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin supporting refinements to ensure compliance with freedom of expression.
• The measures aim to bolster law enforcement capabilities while maintaining procedural safeguards, such as access to legal counsel and medical oversight during extended custody.
• A final vote on the comprehensive anti-drug trafficking bill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, as debates on balancing security and civil liberties continue.