Escalating Violence: Drug Trafficking Gangs Target French Prisons
The Tarascon prison in southeastern France was the target of a brazen attack early this morning, an alarming episode in a series of violent incidents linked to drug trafficking gangs, according to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. This incident marks yet another chapter in a growing trend of unrest experienced in various French prisons over recent weeks.
In addition to Tarascon, several prisons across France and their peripheries have reported disturbances that are now under investigation by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office. A notable incident occurred at the Toulon prison located on the Mediterranean coast, where gunfire was reportedly directed at the entrance door. The prison union FO Justice has also documented vehicles being set ablaze, entrance doors ignited, and incidents involving high-caliber weapon discharges.
Furthermore, intimidation tactics appear to be on the rise among prison officers. This morning, graffiti featuring the initials DDPF—short for 'Defense of the Rights of French Prisoners'—emerged at the residence of a prison officer in the Paris region. This group, which surfaced on social media just last week, is believed to be responsible for a spate of recent threats targeting those working in the penal system.
In an interview with Europe 1, Darmanin confirmed that three vehicles were torched in central Tarascon and accused the perpetrators of attempting to undermine state authority through intimidation. He argued that these attacks are retaliatory measures against his government's crackdown on issues of leniency within French prisons.
The Minister emphasized that these acts of aggression primarily target prison officers, pointing out that many of the vehicles burned belong to them. By reinforcing a high-security framework in select prisons, the government aims to contain the activities of the most dangerous inmates, particularly efforts to block their access to mobile phones, which facilitate communication with gang members on the outside.
"The fight we are engaged in is against drug gangs," asserted Darmanin, justifying the administration's efforts to tighten the penal system. He cautioned against allowing the country to spiral into a state akin to other locations where drug trafficking networks intimidate not just prison officials, but also police and judges.
"We will not retreat because the State is not threatened," reiterated the Minister, who highlighted that there are currently 17,000 inmates incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
Given the severity and nature of these recent disturbances, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has asserted control over the investigations. Darmanin expressed confidence that law enforcement will ultimately succeed in identifying and apprehending those responsible for these violent acts, reinforcing the notion that the police always prevail in such situations.
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