Multiple French Prisons Attacked Amid Drug Trafficking Crackdown

In a troubling escalation, multiple French prisons were attacked overnight amid heightened government efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly a surge in cocaine described as a 'tsunami.' Assailants fired automatic weapons at a prison in Toulon and set vehicles ablaze outside other facilities, prompting investigations by the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office and the DGSI national security agency. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin is set to visit Toulon to support affected staff, emphasizing the need for robust measures to disrupt criminal networks. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has ordered increased protection for prison personnel and facilities, stating that those who attack must face severe consequences. The attacks reflect the growing violence tied to drug trafficking as gangs expand their operations from major cities into smaller towns. France's intensifying crackdown aims to address the alarming rise in drug-related crime across the nation.