Marseille Activist Amine Kessaci Under Police Protection Amid Threats Linked to Drug Trafficking

Amine Kessaci, a Marseille-based environmentalist and anti-drug trafficking activist, has recently been the center of heightened security concerns following multiple threats related to his activism. On February 6, 2026, Kessaci was urgently exfiltrated from a political meeting in Aix-en-Provence after an alert indicated a potential GPS beacon was detected under one of the police escort vehicles. Such devices are often used by organized drug traffickers for tracking rivals, which triggered immediate police intervention. Although a thorough search of the vehicles found no GPS device, this incident prompted the Aix-en-Provence prosecutor's office to open an investigation and refer it to a specialized interregional jurisdiction in Marseille.

Kessaci remains under close police protection, particularly after the assassination of his younger brother, adding to the tragic history of violence tied to his family—his older brother Brahim was also murdered, events that fuel his activism against narcotraffic. Kessaci’s personal losses have driven his dedication, as reflected in his recent book "Marseille, essuie tes larmes," dedicated to Brahim. Due to safety concerns, Kessaci withdrew from running for the leadership of the local ecologist party ahead of the planned election in October 2025, as he continues to face pressure and threats from organized crime circles.

The recent GPS beacon alert and ongoing judicial inquiry underscore the dangers Kessaci faces, highlighting the volatile environment surrounding anti-drug efforts in Marseille. The security measures aim to protect him while investigations continue into the potential criminal plans targeting him.

According to sources, Kessaci was moved to a safe location for several hours following the alert. Senator Guy Benarroche acknowledged Kessaci’s withdrawal from the ecologist party leadership race was directly linked to his safety fears. These events illuminate the risks prominent activists endure in confronting narcotraffic networks in France’s southern cities.