Amine Kessaci, a 22-year-old French anti-drugs activist, has affirmed his intention to continue speaking out against drug violence following the murder of his younger brother, Mehdi Kessaci, in Marseille last week. This incident occurred five years after the death of his elder brother, Brahim Kessaci.
Brothers' Deaths and Activism
Mehdi Kessaci, aged 20, was fatally shot on November 6 in central Marseille while parking his vehicle. Government officials have described this incident as a crime of intimidation targeting Amine Kessaci. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated on November 12 that the murder marked "a new level of violence" and was a "premeditated crime of intimidation."
In 2020, Brahim Kessaci, then 22, was found dead in a burnt-out car. Following Brahim's death, Amine Kessaci established the association Conscience, which focuses on highlighting the impact of drug gangs on working-class communities. Kessaci also authored the book Marseille Wipe your Tears – Life and Death in a Land of Drugs.
Activist's Stance and Safety Concerns
Amine Kessaci wrote in Le Monde newspaper on November 13, stating his commitment to fighting against drug traffickers despite the personal cost. He mentioned receiving police warnings to leave Marseille due to threats against his life. Kessaci attended his younger brother's funeral wearing a bullet-proof jacket and under police protection.
National Context of Drug Trafficking
Mehdi Kessaci's murder has drawn national attention to the issue of drug trafficking in France. Senator Étienne Blanc, who authored a recent study on the subject, reported that the drug trade in France generates approximately €7bn (£6bn) annually, representing 70% of the justice ministry's budget. Blanc also estimated that around 250,000 individuals derive income from this trade, a number exceeding the total police and gendarme force in France, which stands at 230,000. Le Monde reported 1.1 million cocaine users in the country.
On November 13, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the cabinet, criticizing drug consumers and stating that "sometimes it is the city-centre bourgeoisie that is funding the traffickers." Macron convened a special drug summit on November 12 in response to the recent events, reviewing progress on a new anti-drugs law enacted in June. This legislation establishes a specialized prosecutor's office for organized crime, similar to anti-terrorism units, which will eventually comprise 30 specialized magistrates. The law also mandates that high-profile drug convicts serve their sentences in isolation within specially converted prisons, aiming to disrupt their ability to manage operations from incarceration.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that efforts to combat drug crime are yielding results in Marseille. The city recorded 24 homicides in 2024, a reduction from 49 in 2023. Additionally, the number of known drug dealing points in Marseille has decreased from 160 to 80.