French Senate Approves Creation of National Anti-Criminality Prosecutor’s Office

The Pnaco, set to launch in 2026, aims to strengthen France's fight against organized crime and narcotrafficking with a specialized and coordinated judicial approach.

The French Senate has overwhelmingly approved the creation of a National Anti-Criminality Prosecutor’s Office (Pnaco), modeled on existing financial and anti-terrorism prosecutor offices.
Set to be operational by January 2026, Pnaco will handle the most severe organized crime cases and coordinate efforts across regional and national judicial bodies.
The initiative, described as a 'historic step' by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, seeks to address narcotrafficking, which the government has labeled a 'priority threat.'
Pnaco will operate alongside an enhanced Organized Crime Task Force (EMCO) and leverage resources from multiple ministries, including Justice, Interior, Economy, and Defense.
Critics have raised concerns about potential infringements on individual liberties and the lack of allocated funding to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed measures.