Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin Targets Drug Traffickers’ Finances in Marseille

Darmanin announces plans to confiscate illicit assets and strengthen penalties for corruption and threats against public officials.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, during a visit to Marseille, emphasized the need to target drug traffickers' financial resources, including money laundering and illicitly acquired assets.
He proposed measures such as confiscating cash, vehicles, and real estate linked to narcotrafficking, both domestically and abroad, to disrupt criminal operations before convictions are secured.
Darmanin announced plans to visit the UAE later in January to enhance international judicial cooperation in combating drug-related financial networks.
He called for harsher penalties for those who threaten or corrupt public officials, directing prosecutors to prioritize these cases with greater severity.
The visit highlighted ongoing challenges in Marseille, including overcrowded prisons, underfunded judicial systems, and continued violence linked to narcotrafficking despite a reduction in homicides in 2024.