France Calls Prison Attacks Terrorism Amid Drug Gang Crackdown
France’s justice minister says a recent wave of violent incidents at prisons across the country was a coordinated act of terrorism — likely a warning from organized crime networks as authorities tighten the screws on the nation’s growing drug trade.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visited Toulon prison on Tuesday, 15th April, where shots were fired recently at the facility’s front gate.
The gun used was believed to be a Kalashnikov-style assault rifle. Though investigators haven’t confirmed a direct link to drug gangs, Darmanin pointed out that officials have been ramping up pressure on inmates known to lead criminal empires from behind bars.
“The Republic won’t be intimidated,” he said. “When armed attacks target prison staff and state institutions, that crosses a line.”
Multiple Sites, Same Message
Over the past few days, at least six prisons have been hit. Outside jails in Villepinte, Nanterre, Aix-Luynes, Valence, and Marseille, cars were set ablaze. In Nancy, a prison officer was reportedly threatened at home. Even the National School of Prison Administration — where prison workers receive training — was targeted.
Given the scope of the attacks, France’s anti-terrorism prosecutors (PNAT) have taken over the investigation. Officers from the domestic intelligence agency DGSI are now involved too.
Who’s Behind It?
At some of the crime scenes, spray-painted graffiti showed the acronym “DDPF”, which some say may stand for a group focused on prisoners’ rights. Police are still piecing things together. Online activity tied to the same initials has popped up on platforms like Telegram, but so far, nobody’s claimed responsibility.
“I don’t care what they wrote,” Darmanin said. “What matters is someone fired a Kalashnikov at a prison. That’s the threat — not the tag.”
French Crime Is Rising — So Is Public Concern
France has seen drug-related violence escalate sharply, much of it tied to a spike in cocaine imports from South America. While the government has reported record drug seizures, profits for gangs remain strong, and they’ve begun to expand beyond big cities like Marseille into smaller, quieter towns.
At the same time, a growing number of tourists and residents say France no longer feels like the country it once was. A lot of people are pointing to unchecked immigration and what they see as a soft approach to crime as the main reasons for the rising violence. These frustrations have been getting louder lately, especially as the crime wave spills over from big cities into smaller towns.
And it’s not just talk—this growing unrest is starting to shift the political climate in the country.
Frustration over law and order has fueled rising support for France’s far-right National Rally party, pushing public debate further to the right.
Tougher Measures in the Works
In response, Darmanin is pushing to build high-security facilities that would house about 100 of the country’s most dangerous inmates — those believed to be running drug operations from behind bars.
At the same time, lawmakers are close to approving a new anti-drug trafficking law. The proposal includes plans for a national prosecutor’s office focused solely on organized crime and gives police broader powers to investigate trafficking networks.
Flashback: The Escape of “The Fly”
This all follows the dramatic February escape of Mohamed Amra, nicknamed “The Fly”, who was freed by armed accomplices during a court transfer. Two prison guards were killed in the ambush. Amra was caught not long after, but the attack shook the nation and spotlighted growing threats tied to organized crime.
France: The Bigger Picture
As France moves to clamp down on drug trafficking and organized criminal groups, it’s clear that the prison system has become a central front in the battle. The recent attacks show that some groups are willing to strike directly at state institutions — a move that has now drawn the attention of the country’s top anti-terror investigators.