French officials have reported a series of violent attacks targeting multiple prisons across the country, including incidents of gunfire and arson, which they believe are a direct response to the government’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed that these attacks are attempts to intimidate prison staff as the French Republic confronts the escalating problem of drug crime.
On the night of April 14, 2025, an automatic weapon was fired at the entrance of a prison in Toulon, a southern port city. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident, but it marked a significant escalation in violence against prison facilities. Reports indicate that vehicles were also torched in the car parks of several prisons, including those in Villepinte, Nanterre, Aix-en-Provence, and Valence, raising alarms about the safety of prison staff.
In a post on social media platform X, Minister Darmanin stated, "Attempts have been made to intimidate staff in several prisons, ranging from burning vehicles to firing automatic weapons." He emphasized that the government is taking measures that will “massively disrupt the criminal networks” involved in drug trafficking.
French anti-terror prosecutors are now leading the investigation into these incidents, collaborating with the domestic intelligence agency, DGSI. The attacks appear to be coordinated and are suspected to be linked to the government’s latest anti-narcobanditry strategy, which aims to combat rising gang violence and drug-related deaths associated with increasing cocaine imports.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has urged local authorities to strengthen security measures around prison facilities and to protect the officers working there. He stated, “The state’s response must be relentless. Those who attack prisons and their officers deserve to be locked up in those prisons and monitored by those officers.”
The prison staff union UFAP-UNSA Justice expressed its deep concern over the coordinated attacks, with national secretary Wilfried Fonck describing them as organized efforts to terrorize staff. He noted that staff vehicles were set ablaze outside prisons in various regions, and an attempted arson at a prison-related facility in Marseille was also reported.
As the situation unfolds, the French government is grappling with a significant rise in cocaine use and trafficking. According to Minister Retailleau, demand for cocaine has reached an all-time high, with around 1.1 million people in France having used the drug at least once in 2023. In 2024 alone, authorities seized 47 tons of cocaine, more than double the amount confiscated in the previous year.
Local media reports suggest that the attacks may have been carried out by far-left groups, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. The prison staff union FO Justice has also voiced its anger and concern following the violent incidents, demanding a strong and immediate response from the state.
As lawmakers prepare to approve a new anti-drug trafficking law aimed at enhancing police powers and establishing a dedicated prosecutors’ office for organized crime, the recent violence underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address drug-related violence in France. The law is expected to provide additional resources to combat the growing influence of drug gangs.
In Toulon, the entrance to the prison was reportedly hit seven times by gunfire, with several boxes of ammunition found at the scene. The gunmen fled after the attack, leaving authorities on high alert. In Marseille, vehicles were set ablaze in a street in the 13th district, with the phrase “DDPF” (Droit des Prisonniers Français - Rights of French Prisoners) spray-painted nearby, suggesting a possible political motive behind the violence.
In Nanterre, two individuals were seen setting fire to a vehicle belonging to prison staff, with a petrol can found nearby. Similar incidents occurred in Villepinte, where three vehicles were set on fire in a prison car park, and in Valence, where a scooter rider ignited vehicles outside the prison. Reports also indicated that vehicles were damaged in Nîmes and Luynes, with the DDPF slogan appearing on the vandalized cars.
The wave of violence against prisons has raised significant concerns about the safety of both staff and inmates, as well as the overall security of the facilities. The French government’s intensified focus on drug trafficking, particularly cocaine, has led to an increase in violence as criminal networks respond aggressively to law enforcement efforts.
As the investigation continues, French authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety of prison staff and to restore order in the face of these alarming attacks. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about how best to address the challenges posed by drug trafficking and the violence it incites.
The French public is closely watching the government's response to these incidents, as the implications of drug trafficking extend beyond prisons and into communities across the nation. With the stakes higher than ever, the government's commitment to tackling this issue will be put to the test in the coming weeks and months.
