France’s international action plan to combat drug trafficking Fighting drug trafficking News Published on : November 09th 2026 Philémon Henry/MEAE In the face of the growth of drug trafficking, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has developed, in liaison with the other relevant ministries, an international action plan to fight this scourge undermining our society. Today, drug trafficking represents a major threat to local cohesion and security and for the health of our people. It affects all of France, from large cities to rural areas and overseas communities. Les stupéfiants en France More than €7 billion in turnover (excluding overseas France) 200,000 people involved in drug trafficking More than 109 tons of narcotics seized in 2025 The plan aims, through ambitious measures, to enhance international cooperation and France’s means for action abroad, to protect the security and health of the French people. The plan is based on three pillars: 1. Taking firm action against production and trafficking in key source, transit and springboard countries Cooperation actions are mainly focused on the following key regions: Latin America and the Caribbean: projects to step up port and airport security to disrupt flows at source; Western Balkans: regional programme to fight trafficking in synthetic drugs and their precursors; West Africa: new cooperation agreements on maritime security and mutual legal assistance; North Africa: new agreements to enhance law enforcement cooperation; Asia: enhanced cooperation to combat trafficking in precursors and cannabis; Middle East: regional programme to dismantle synthetic drug laboratories, and increased cooperation in legal and criminal matters. In liaison with the Ministries of the Interior and for Overseas France, special emphasis is placed on protecting French overseas territories located along drug routes in the Caribbean and in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Overseas territories on the front lines During its G7 Presidency, France organized a Regional Security Conference in the Caribbean, held in Martinique on 2 and 3 July 2026, in order to strengthen regional cooperation to fight flows of narcotics and firearms that are a growing threat to our overseas territories. The Conference saw the adoption of the Call of Martinique [sic.], aimed at strengthening political and operational cooperation. 2. Curbing the main illicit physical and financial flows underpinning drug trafficking France is stepping up its action to better secure international logistical chains, while continuing its efforts to counter maritime trafficking and further securing port infrastructures. As 70% of drugs enter European territory via sea and the ports, France has used its G7 Presidency to create a G7+ Ports Network to combat drug trafficking by stepping up cooperation among G7 States and partners including Brazil and the Republic of Korea and their main seaports, in coordination with existing initiatives such as the European Ports alliance. « We will make the fight against drug trafficking a priority of the French G7 Presidency, because a global scourge calls for an international response. » Jean-Noël Barrot Meanwhile, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs continues to play its full role as competent national authority for Article 17 of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which provides for requests to flag States for boarding and inspection authorization to board and inspect ships and, if evidence is found, to take appropriate action, thus enabling government services at sea to board ships suspected of involvement in drug trafficking on the high seas. In 2025, some 20 boarding requests were processed thanks to the Ministry, enabling the seizure of more than 40 tons of narcotics, almost all cocaine. France is also further mobilizing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in efforts to combat illicit financial flows and money laundering. Created in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris, the FATF is tasked with developing standards and promoting strategies for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Enhanced judicial cooperation A number of drug traffickers wanted by the French authorities have taken refuge abroad. In this context, France is stepping up its judicial cooperation with partner States to secure the extradition of drug traffickers, local legal actions and the seizure of criminal assets. At national level in 2025, France seized more than €146 million in criminal assets and plans to increase its efforts in this regard to hit criminals in their wallets. 3. Strengthening prevention and anticipating new illicit drug trends France is continuing its efforts to strengthen prevention and public health policies, by mobilizing relevant international organizations (including WHO, UNODC, UNAIDS and Unitaid). It is channelling inclusive and sustainable investment towards tackling the root causes of drug trafficking and countering its effects, for example by providing a share of official development assistance to replace coca plantations with other crops in Latin America. France is also enhancing its cooperation with the Member States of the European Coalition Against Drugs (ECAD), which it launched with Italy in 2025 within the framework of the European Political Community. This cooperation aims to tackle the arrival of new narcotic substances into France and to improve our collective preventive measures.