France’s Minister of the Interior said on Thursday that despite not ruling out the possibility of foreign forces or far-left instigators behind a series of recent prison attacks in France, drug traffickers are likely the masterminds behind these unprecedented incidents.
From the evening of March 13 to the early hours of March 16, at least nine French prison facilities and associated institutions were attacked and set on fire by unidentified assailants. A prison guard’s vehicle was also set ablaze at their home.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told RTL Radio, “It is very likely the work of drug traffickers. This is one of the most plausible scenarios.”
Retailleau confirmed that arrests have been made following the incidents, but it is still too early to determine if the suspects are linked to the attacks.
The French government stated that these incidents are related to its tough crackdown on drug crimes, such as cocaine trafficking. Drug traffickers are feeling threatened by the government’s efforts to combat drug offenses.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin plans to establish highly secure prisons to detain the top 100 drug lords in France and restrict their contact with family members.
The day before multiple prisons in France were attacked, an unidentified organization created a Telegram group called “French Prisoner Rights, DDPF,” claiming that prisoners’ rights were under threat. This organization is currently under investigation.
The influx of South American cocaine has reshaped the landscape of the European drug market, leading to a wave of violent crimes.
Despite record high seizures of cocaine in France, drug trafficking groups are expanding their territories to continue profiting, moving from traditional strongholds in cities like Marseille to small towns that were previously untouched by drug activities.
(Reference: Reuters)