French Senate Approves Comprehensive Bill to Combat Drug Trafficking

The legislation introduces a specialized national prosecutor's office and new enforcement tools to address organized crime and drug-related offenses.

The French Senate passed the anti-drug trafficking bill with 338 votes in favor and none against after a correction to a voting error.
The bill proposes the creation of the Parquet National Anticriminalité Organisée (Pnaco), a specialized prosecutor's office to handle severe organized crime cases, operational by January 2026.
Key measures include asset freezes, anti-money laundering provisions, and a new procedure requiring suspects to justify unexplained wealth.
The legislation introduces enhanced investigative tools, including algorithmic intelligence for crime detection and stricter oversight of encrypted messaging platforms.
Critics noted the absence of preventive measures targeting drug consumption, while proponents emphasized the focus on high-level traffickers.