French Parliament Revives Controversial Measures Against Drug Trafficking
Legislative amendments enable remote activation of electronic devices and extended police custody for traffickers.
On Monday, the French National Assembly approved controversial measures aimed at combatting drug trafficking, including allowing investigators to remotely activate electronic devices—such as mobile phones and connected objects—to secretly listen to and record targeted individuals.
This provision had been previously censored by the Constitutional Council at the end of 2023. The amendments were reinstated despite opposition, which highlighted their inclusion in a broader judicial reform proposed by former Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti.
The rapporteur for the bill, Vincent Caure of the 'Ensemble pour la République' party, asserted that the revised provisions respect existing legal precedents by restricting the use of this technique to serious organized crime.
Moreover, the remote activation of mobile devices will be confined to the most severe offenses and stipulates a limited duration while excluding certain professional groups from its application.
Additionally, the deputies reinstated another measure that allows for the extension of police custody for drug 'mules'—individuals who internally transport narcotics—up to 120 hours.
This measure faced little opposition, as the left-wing parties were unable to stop the supportive votes from the 'common platform' and the National Rally regarding the amendment.
Rapporteur Éric Pauget from the 'Les Républicains' party argued that extending the custody for mules would facilitate the collection of crucial evidence for ongoing investigations.
He emphasized that fundamental rights for those in custody, such as the right to consult a lawyer and contact family members, would remain safeguarded.
The measures would be implemented within a legal medical unit.
In separate amendments that were also approved, one introduced by Olivier Marleix proposed additional penalties for foreign individuals convicted of drug trafficking with prison sentences of five years or more, including a potential ban on entry into France, subject to a judge's assessment on a case-by-case basis.
Another amendment supported by Éric Pauget aimed to introduce aggravated circumstances for drug-related offenses committed while possessing a weapon, thereby increasing potential penalties.
Additional provisions were also approved concerning public glorification of criminal organizations and failure to justify income relative to one’s standard of living while having regular connections with organized crime entities.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his support for these amendments but advised that further refinement may be necessary in future parliamentary reviews to align them better with the principles of free expression.
The examination of the legislative text is set to conclude by the end of Monday night, with a formal vote scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
This provision had been previously censored by the Constitutional Council at the end of 2023. The amendments were reinstated despite opposition, which highlighted their inclusion in a broader judicial reform proposed by former Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti.
The rapporteur for the bill, Vincent Caure of the 'Ensemble pour la République' party, asserted that the revised provisions respect existing legal precedents by restricting the use of this technique to serious organized crime.
Moreover, the remote activation of mobile devices will be confined to the most severe offenses and stipulates a limited duration while excluding certain professional groups from its application.
Additionally, the deputies reinstated another measure that allows for the extension of police custody for drug 'mules'—individuals who internally transport narcotics—up to 120 hours.
This measure faced little opposition, as the left-wing parties were unable to stop the supportive votes from the 'common platform' and the National Rally regarding the amendment.
Rapporteur Éric Pauget from the 'Les Républicains' party argued that extending the custody for mules would facilitate the collection of crucial evidence for ongoing investigations.
He emphasized that fundamental rights for those in custody, such as the right to consult a lawyer and contact family members, would remain safeguarded.
The measures would be implemented within a legal medical unit.
In separate amendments that were also approved, one introduced by Olivier Marleix proposed additional penalties for foreign individuals convicted of drug trafficking with prison sentences of five years or more, including a potential ban on entry into France, subject to a judge's assessment on a case-by-case basis.
Another amendment supported by Éric Pauget aimed to introduce aggravated circumstances for drug-related offenses committed while possessing a weapon, thereby increasing potential penalties.
Additional provisions were also approved concerning public glorification of criminal organizations and failure to justify income relative to one’s standard of living while having regular connections with organized crime entities.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his support for these amendments but advised that further refinement may be necessary in future parliamentary reviews to align them better with the principles of free expression.
The examination of the legislative text is set to conclude by the end of Monday night, with a formal vote scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
