In a concerning escalation of narcotrafic activities, France recorded 110 deaths and 341 injuries due to drug-related violence in 2024, according to definitive figures released by the Ministry of the Interior on February 6, 2025. This data reflects a continued rise in drug trafficking operations within the country.

French authorities, including police, gendarmerie, customs, and the national navy, seized a total of 53.5 tonnes of cocaine in 2024. This marks a substantial increase of 130% compared to the 23 tonnes seized in 2023. Bruno Retailleau, the French Minister of the Interior, confirmed the soaring figures during a press conference meant to launch a new anti-drug campaign aimed at consumers.

Retailleau described the situation as a "submersion" of drugs, coining it a "white tsunami."

The campaign, which includes television spots, social media outreach, and advertising in public transport, is reportedly the first of its kind initiated by the government to address drug use.

Its announcement coincided with the government's firm stance against drug trafficking, highlighted by the nearly unanimous Senate approval of a narcotrafic bill earlier this week.

This legislation is set to create a national public prosecutor's office for combating organized crime (Pnaco), alongside enhanced anti-money laundering measures and additional investigative tools.

In addition to cocaine, the country has also seen a spike in seizures of synthetic drugs, with over 9 million ecstasy and MDMA tablets confiscated in 2024, representing a 123% increase from the previous year.

Additionally, authorities reported seizing 618 kg of amphetamines and methamphetamines, a rise of 133%.

In contrast, cannabis seizures dropped to 101 tonnes, a decrease of 19%, while one tonne of heroin was also removed from circulation.

The report indicated that although the number of deaths linked to narcotrafic declined from 139 in 2023 to 110 in 2024, this decrease is attributed to the end of violent conflicts between rival criminal groups in Marseille, specifically the DZ Mafia and Yoda, which were responsible for a significant portion of narcotics-related murders in the prior year.

Despite the reduction, officials noted that 2024 figures still exceed those from 2022 and 2021.

In total, there were 980 homicides recorded in France in 2024. Among these, 367 involved drug trafficking, showing a decrease from 418 in 2023. Notably, a significant proportion of individuals involved in these incidents were young, with a quarter of those arrested for murder and attempted murder related to drug trafficking being under 20 years old.

This demographic included 16 minors.

Authorities emphasized that the issue of drug trafficking is particularly pronounced in the southern half of France.

Overall, 51,700 individuals were implicated in drug trafficking in 2024, representing a 6% increase over 2023. Furthermore, 288,000 people faced charges for drug use, marking a 10% rise.

Additionally, law enforcement agencies seized approximately 122 million euros linked to drug investigations, an increase of 4%.

However, this amount constitutes only 11% of a total of 1.129 billion euros seized from criminal assets during the same period.