In a troubling escalation of violence, French prisons have been the target of a coordinated series of arson and gun attacks, with officials speculating that drug gangs may be responsible. Since Sunday night, 12 incidents have been reported, leading to significant concern over safety and security within these facilities. While investigators are still exploring various leads, including potential extremist involvement or foreign influence, the prevailing theory points to drug traffickers retaliating against recent government measures aimed at dismantling their operations.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau commented on the situation, emphasizing that the government's new crackdown, described as a declaration of war on drug-related crime, has provoked a backlash from what he calls “drugs-yobs” (or “narco-racaille” in French). The attacks included setting fire to cars outside several prisons and a training center for prison officers, with some incidents involving the use of firearms.
Vandalism during these attacks often included the initials "DDPF," or "Droits des Prisonniers Français" (Rights for French Prison Inmates), a group that emerged recently. In a video released on Telegram, the “DDPF” criticized Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin for declaring "war" on prisoners and claimed that their demands are simply for the respect of human rights within jails.
However, experts point out that the methods and motivations displayed by the attackers align more closely with drug gangs rather than traditional far-left groups. Notable differences include the grammatical errors in their messages and the background of those involved, often indicative of criminal affiliations rather than ideological movements. Some analysts also considered the possibility of foreign manipulation, particularly in light of previous instances of interference.
As the investigation unfolds, the government continues to advocate for legislative measures designed to curb the power of drug cartels. This includes creating a new prosecutorial branch dedicated to drug crimes and facilitating stricter controls within prisons to prevent inmates from running operations from behind bars.
With the goal of enhancing the security protocols in jails—especially for high-profile drug offenders—the government has announced plans for two new maximum-security prisons where the most influential drug lords will be housed under tight restrictions aimed at limiting their communication and influence.
French officials believe that the recent attacks indicate that drug gangs are feeling pressure from government crackdowns, reinforcing the narrative that the state is successfully confronting the drug trade. However, it remains to be seen whether authorities can apprehend those responsible for these violent acts and provide further clarity on the underlying motivations behind this unprecedented surge of attacks.
