Frédéric Michel // Photo credit: Carine Schmitt / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 12:13 p.m., March 8, 2024

Drug trafficking is plaguing Marseille.

This week, several senators traveled to Marseille to continue their commission of inquiry.

Faced with the words of magistrates to describe the alarming situation, the people of Marseillais widely share their vision.

Marseille, a “narcoville” prey to corruption and in full “Mexicanization”: the words used by local magistrates are strong.

While the Senate is conducting a parliamentary commission of inquiry on the subject, the remarks do not leave the inhabitants of the Marseille city indifferent.

“It's a bit harsh (editor's note) what he says. But he's not entirely wrong,” a resident of France's second city told Europe 1.

The prosecutor did not hesitate, in front of the senators, to set the framework: police officers and justice officials corrupted by drug traffickers, murders and organized businesses, sometimes in prison... This is what he describes. 

>>READ ALSO -

 “I have the feeling of being abandoned”: in Marseille, these residents of the northern districts are calling on the State for help

“Lack of consideration on the part of public authorities for decades”

“I didn’t imagine that at all... It’s scary and I understand the situation better today,” confides a young Marseille resident.

“We are not far” from the cities of South America, regrets a retiree.

“We suffer, but it’s not normal! We don’t punish them enough,” she believes. 

“I don’t think we can compare Marseille and Mexico City. I also think that it stems from a lack of consideration on the part of public authorities for decades. And we actually wake up when the situation is dramatic,” judges for his part a young man.

“Fatalist” Marseillais

But the finding made by the judicial authorities of the Marseille city does not surprise many.

"We're not surprised. The people of Marseille are a bit fatalistic about that. It's not that we don't care, but that's it, that's what Marseille is like," notes another local resident. 

In the meantime, the senators are continuing their commission of inquiry, meeting families and loved ones of victims, police officers and magistrates.

Although there should be no announcement, elected officials believe that choices will have to be made between ban, prohibition or tolerance, between security and freedom of movement.

Currently, only 2% of containers arriving from abroad are searched in France.