Latest news with #SylvainMaillard
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First Post
30-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
France adopts sweeping narcotics law to combat cocaine influx
The bill, which was born out of a 2024 Senate report that warned France faced a 'tipping point from rising drug violence, was not without controversy. A measure to provide police with an automatic backdoor into encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal was removed by lawmakers during debate read more Member of parliament Sylvain Maillard of the Renaissance party speaks at the National Assembly in Paris, France. File image/ Reuters French lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping counter-narcotics law to equip the state with tougher tools to fight a sharp rise in drug crime following a record-breaking surge of South American cocaine into Europe. The new law will create a national prosecutor's office for organised crime, isolate dangerous kingpins in prisons to prevent them from running their empires from behind bars, and allow for the shutdown of businesses that launder drug money. The use of cooperating witnesses - criminals offering information on their network in return for lighter sentences or other benefits - will be expanded, while assets will be confiscated unless their owners can attest to their provenance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bill, which was born out of a 2024 Senate report that warned France faced a 'tipping point' from rising drug violence, was not without controversy. A measure to provide police with an automatic backdoor into encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal was removed by lawmakers during debate. Centrist lawmaker Sylvain Maillard told Reuters tougher laws were needed to tackle a problem that is affecting nations across the continent. 'Countries in Europe, like Holland and Belgium, are under attack,' Maillard said. 'All countries with major ports are particularly affected, and this is the case in France. We must combat this scourge, which has grown enormously in recent years, by updating the legislation.' The new law comes amid growing awareness of France's struggle with organised crime. A spate of attacks on prisons across France, which the government says are in response to its push to make jails less hospitable to drug barons, has underlined the threat to the state posed by the narcotics trade. At least 25 people suspected of involvement in the prison attacks were arrested on Monday on terrorism charges. Years of record cocaine imports to Europe have transformed local drug markets, generating a wave of violence. Despite historic cocaine seizures in France, gangs are reaping windfalls as they expand from traditional power bases in cities such as Marseille into smaller towns unused to drug violence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The rise in gang crime has also increased support for the far-right National Rally party and helped drag French politics further to the right.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
France passes sweeping new drug law as cocaine surge drives crime wave
Member of parliament Sylvain Maillard of the Renaissance party speaks at the National Assembly in Paris, France, January 30, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo PARIS - French lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping counter-narcotics law to equip the state with tougher tools to fight a sharp rise in drug crime following a record-breaking surge of South American cocaine into Europe. The new law will create a national prosecutor's office for organised crime, isolate dangerous kingpins in prisons to prevent them from running their empires from behind bars, and allow for the shutdown of businesses that launder drug money. The use of cooperating witnesses - criminals offering information on their network in return for lighter sentences or other benefits - will be expanded, while assets will be confiscated unless their owners can attest to their provenance. The bill, which was born out of a 2024 Senate report that warned France faced a "tipping point" from rising drug violence, was not without controversy. A measure to provide police with an automatic backdoor into encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal was removed by lawmakers during debate. Centrist lawmaker Sylvain Maillard told Reuters tougher laws were needed to tackle a problem that is affecting nations across the continent. "Countries in Europe, like Holland and Belgium, are under attack," Maillard said. "All countries with major ports are particularly affected, and this is the case in France. We must combat this scourge, which has grown enormously in recent years, by updating the legislation." The new law comes amid growing awareness of France's struggle with organised crime. A spate of attacks on prisons across France, which the government says are in response to its push to make jails less hospitable to drug barons, has underlined the threat to the state posed by the narcotics trade. At least 25 people suspected of involvement in the prison attacks were arrested on Monday on terrorism charges. Years of record cocaine imports to Europe have transformed local drug markets, generating a wave of violence. Despite historic cocaine seizures in France, gangs are reaping windfalls as they expand from traditional power bases in cities such as Marseille into smaller towns unused to drug violence. The rise in gang crime has also increased support for the far-right National Rally party and helped drag French politics further to the right. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
France passes sweeping new drug law as cocaine surge drives crime wave
Member of parliament Sylvain Maillard of the Renaissance party speaks at the National Assembly in Paris, France, January 30, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) - French lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping counter-narcotics law to equip the state with tougher tools to fight a sharp rise in drug crime following a record-breaking surge of South American cocaine into Europe. The new law will create a national prosecutor's office for organised crime, isolate dangerous kingpins in prisons to prevent them from running their empires from behind bars, and allow for the shutdown of businesses that launder drug money. The use of cooperating witnesses - criminals offering information on their network in return for lighter sentences or other benefits - will be expanded, while assets will be confiscated unless their owners can attest to their provenance. The bill, which was born out of a 2024 Senate report that warned France faced a "tipping point" from rising drug violence, was not without controversy. A measure to provide police with an automatic backdoor into encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal was removed by lawmakers during debate. Centrist lawmaker Sylvain Maillard told Reuters tougher laws were needed to tackle a problem that is affecting nations across the continent. "Countries in Europe, like Holland and Belgium, are under attack," Maillard said. "All countries with major ports are particularly affected, and this is the case in France. We must combat this scourge, which has grown enormously in recent years, by updating the legislation." The new law comes amid growing awareness of France's struggle with organised crime. A spate of attacks on prisons across France, which the government says are in response to its push to make jails less hospitable to drug barons, has underlined the threat to the state posed by the narcotics trade. At least 25 people suspected of involvement in the prison attacks were arrested on Monday on terrorism charges. Years of record cocaine imports to Europe have transformed local drug markets, generating a wave of violence. Despite historic cocaine seizures in France, gangs are reaping windfalls as they expand from traditional power bases in cities such as Marseille into smaller towns unused to drug violence. The rise in gang crime has also increased support for the far-right National Rally party and helped drag French politics further to the right. (Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Reuters
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
France passes sweeping new drug law as cocaine surge drives crime wave
Member of parliament Sylvain Maillard of the Renaissance party speaks at the National Assembly in Paris, France, January 30, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab PARIS, April 29 (Reuters) - French lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping counter-narcotics law to equip the state with tougher tools to fight a sharp rise in drug crime following a record-breaking surge of South American cocaine into Europe. The new law will create a national prosecutor's office for organised crime, isolate dangerous kingpins in prisons to prevent them from running their empires from behind bars, and allow for the shutdown of businesses that launder drug money. The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global trade and tariff news. Sign up here. The use of cooperating witnesses - criminals offering information on their network in return for lighter sentences or other benefits - will be expanded, while assets will be confiscated unless their owners can attest to their provenance. The bill, which was born out of a 2024 Senate report that warned France faced a " tipping point" from rising drug violence, was not without controversy. A measure to provide police with an automatic backdoor into encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal was removed by lawmakers during debate. Centrist lawmaker Sylvain Maillard told Reuters tougher laws were needed to tackle a problem that is affecting nations across the continent. "Countries in Europe, like Holland and Belgium, are under attack," Maillard said. "All countries with major ports are particularly affected, and this is the case in France. We must combat this scourge, which has grown enormously in recent years, by updating the legislation." The new law comes amid growing awareness of France's struggle with organised crime. A spate of attacks on prisons across France, which the government says are in response to its push to make jails less hospitable to drug barons, has underlined the threat to the state posed by the narcotics trade. At least 25 people suspected of involvement in the prison attacks were arrested on Monday on terrorism charges. Years of record cocaine imports to Europe have transformed local drug markets, generating a wave of violence. Despite historic cocaine seizures in France, gangs are reaping windfalls as they expand from traditional power bases in cities such as Marseille into smaller towns unused to drug violence. The rise in gang crime has also increased support for the far-right National Rally party and helped drag French politics further to the right. Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Hugh Lawson Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
