France extends police powers in crackdown on drugs trade

The nationwide shift to on-the-spot penalties, following local pilots, will target low-level dealers and users of cannabis and other drugs
Reuters (UK)
Saturday, July 25, 2020

france cannabis2France’s new prime minister Jean Castex announced plans to introduce on-the-spot fines for some drug offences amid mounting concern about over-stretched policing after a series of violent episodes in urban areas. The new penalties will allow police to “apply a sanction without delay” and help in the struggle against drug dealing, said Castex.  The nationwide shift to on-the-spot penalties, following local pilots, will target low-level dealers and users of cannabis and other drugs as part of a broader law enforcement struggle against urban gangs and petty crime. (See also: France to fight cannabis use with €200 on-the-spot fines)