Meeting this week, the local group for addressing delinquency dedicated to drug trafficking presented a preliminary report for the year 2025. Authorities note an intensification of police actions, an increase in judicial procedures, and a lasting involvement of minors.
A restricted meeting of the local group for addressing delinquency (GLTD) was held in Nice on December 9, 2025. It focused on the fight against drug trafficking. Several institutional leaders participated in the exchange. Among them were the prosecutor of the Republic of Nice responsible for coordinating this body, Damien Martinelli, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, the interdepartmental director of the national police, Frédéric Pizzini, Colonel Benoît Taponat, commander of the gendarmerie group, and Jérôme Marcenac, director of the municipal police of Nice.
This meeting aimed to provide a provisional report on the actions carried out in 2025 within the jurisdiction of the Nice judicial court. The services highlighted the increase in operations conducted by the police and gendarmerie. The communicated figures mention “1384, up by 27.5%, and the number of arrests related to these being 1727, an increase of 22.6%.” The authorities presented these figures as an important indicator of the activity on the ground.
These operations have led to “the seizure of nearly €840,000 in cash, up by 38.6%, and 52 firearms, including 17 war weapons.” The services also removed from the market “246 kg of cannabis resin, 187 kg of cannabis herb, and 136 kg of cocaine.” Participants noted a significant increase in cocaine consumption, which affects the entire national territory.
In terms of the judicial response, the trend follows the same trajectory. “649 people were referred, an increase of 54%, with one-third leading to incarceration,” explained the authorities. The Nice prosecutor’s office handled “876 drug trafficking cases […] in the first 11 months of 2025, a 20% increase compared to 2024.”
Over 5,500 fines for consumers
Authorities also express their concern about the involvement of minors. The statement describes it as “very high and very concerning.” According to the presented data, these minors represent almost a third of those placed in police custody in this context.
The GLTD also notes an increase in controls targeting consumers. These operations are considered an essential focus. They highlight enhanced needs in terms of prevention and support for addictions. Throughout the department, “5,516 criminal fines for drug use” were issued. The GLTD highlights a 25% increase. In Nice, “the number of fines is 2,229, a 73% increase.”
The meeting on December 9 also addressed the role of municipal police in the fight against trafficking. Following the discussions, the members of the GLTD decided to establish a dedicated working group. This group’s mission will be to propose initiatives to “improve and consolidate the coordination of their missions” with those of the national police and the gendarmerie, under the authority of the prefect and the prosecutor.
This group will rely on the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Internal Security Code, and the law of June 13, 2025. Its work will focus on preventive actions, the movement of people and vehicles, the organization of joint operations, the use of video surveillance and information sharing. The proposals will include developments that may result from the draft law on the competencies of municipal police.
Participants set a timeline: “this newly formed working group will meet starting in January 2026 and will submit its conclusions by May 1, 2026, at the latest.”
