France's national terrorism office is investigating a series of coordinated prison attacks, believed to be linked to the government's intensified crackdown on drug trafficking. Gunmen attacked Toulon prison and several other jails, while violence has surged due to record cocaine imports. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin highlights the urgency of countering drug kingpins' operations. The French parliament is poised to pass a law boosting police powers against drug dealers and enhancing prison conditions. Measures include building new high-security jails to deter drug-related violence and intimidations against prison staff.
The attacks came as the French parliament prepares to approve a new law increasing the power of police investigating drug dealers, toughening prison conditions for convicted traffickers and creating a new prosecutors' office responsible for investigating organised crime.
Darmanin said he was determined to stamp out drug kingpins' capacity to operate from behind bars and has ordered the building of two new high-security jails to hold more than 700 prisoners.
Attempts have been made to intimidate staff in several prisons ranging from burning vehicles to firing automatic weapons.
Darmanin wrote on X: The Republic is confronted with drug trafficking and is taking measures that will deeply disturb criminal networks.
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