Marseille: Narcotics traffickers now brazenly target those who oppose them, including their families

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on ministers, in an emergency cabinet meeting, to “up” the battle against drug dealing. This comes as an unidentified gunman killed the 20-year-old younger brother of a prominent anti-narcotics activist and Greens party member Amine Kessaci, 22, in Marseille. France’s second-largest city has been struggling to battle violent drug crime: more than a dozen people have been killed in 2025 in turf wars and other disputes linked to cocaine and cannabis dealing. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, François Picard is pleased to welcome award-winning foreign correspondent Richard Assheton.