French Ministers Visit Marseille Amid Surge in Narcotrafic Violence Following Mehdi Kessaci's Assassination

On November 20, 2025, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and Justice Minister Laurent Nuñez visited Marseille in response to heightened narcotrafic-related violence, underscored by the recent assassination of Mehdi Kessaci. Mehdi, 20, was killed in the Frais Vallon neighborhood on November 18, an event that sent shockwaves through the city and spotlighted ongoing law enforcement challenges.

The ministers engaged with magistrates and investigators aiming to strengthen efforts against organized crime and drug trafficking, which remains a persistent problem in Marseille. President Macron has indicated plans to adopt a counter-terrorism style strategy to tackle narcotrafic, signaling a shift in national policy to address escalating violence.

Amine Kessaci, Mehdi’s brother, condemned state inaction and has called for a public march to honor his brother’s memory and shine light on the drug violence plaguing Marseille. He highlighted the need to protect those resisting narcotrafic, mentioning another brother who died in similar circumstances in 2020.

Mayor Benoît Payan has been vocal about the crisis, lamenting the inadequate police presence specifically focused on narcotrafic. Payan revealed he has faced 402 death threats since September, which he describes as part of a "psychological war" inflicted by narcotrafic gangs. Criticizing police priorities, he said resources were leaning more toward immigration enforcement rather than the fight against narcotrafic. Payan has also decried the removal of the police prefecture in Marseille as undermining efforts to combat crime.

The Association nationale de la police judiciaire has criticized authorities for mainly reactive approaches instead of proactive, structural measures to combat crime. Judicial sources report increased difficulty managing narcotrafic cases, with approximately 500 criminal cases pending in Aix-en-Provence courts.

With municipal elections approaching, the ministers’ visit aims to reassure local officials and the public that the government is committed to addressing Marseille’s violence crisis. Political figures like Franck Allisio are also positioning themselves in the tense electoral environment shaped by the narcotrafic issue.

This visit and these statements come amid a highly volatile security climate in Marseille, where drug-related violence has deeply affected communities and local governance.