Macron Leads Urgent Government Response to Rising Narcotrafic Violence in Marseille

On November 18, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting at the Élysée Palace to address the escalating narcotrafic violence in Marseille. The meeting included key ministers such as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and Marseille’s prosecutor Nicolas Bessone. This high-level gathering was prompted by a series of violent incidents, including the recent assassination of Amine Kessaci’s brother, an environmental activist against drug trafficking, which officials described as a "crime of intimidation" symbolizing the increasing brazenness of narcotrafic groups.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez characterized the killing of Mehdi Kessaci as a message of intimidation reflecting heightened tensions among traffickers amid intensified law enforcement efforts. President Macron urged the continuation and intensification of the fight against drug trafficking, announcing his planned visit to Marseille in mid-December to discuss further measures.

The meeting also focused on implementing a new narcotrafic law enacted in June 2025 that aims to strengthen the legal framework against organized drug crime. Central to the law is the creation of the National Anticrime Prosecutor's Office (Pnaco), set to become operational on January 1, 2026, alongside provisions for establishing high-security prison quarters for dangerous traffickers to curtail violence.

Amid rising concern over the narcotrafic crisis, Franck Allisio, the National Rally candidate for Marseille’s upcoming municipal elections slated for March 2026, called for a declaration of a state of emergency in Marseille. This would empower authorities to ban public gatherings and bolster resources to confront drug trafficking operations effectively. The narcotrafic issue is intensifying as a critical political theme ahead of the elections, with various leaders urging urgent and concrete government action.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin described the recent violence in Marseille as a "frightening turning point" for public awareness of narcobanditism, emphasizing the need for accelerated government response and security measures, particularly to protect political candidates.

With narcotrafic violence on the rise and political pressure mounting, the French government is signaling a robust crackdown, combining enhanced legal tools with intensified enforcement efforts to restore public security in Marseille.