France is facing a critical moment in its fight against drug-related violence, according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
His warning comes after a massive shoot-out in the western city of Poitiers left a teenager fighting for his life and four others seriously wounded.
The incident, which occurred outside a restaurant in the Couronneries district, escalated into a clash involving hundreds of people.
Retailleau stated: "We are at a tipping point and the choice is between a general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country."
France is facing a critical moment in its fight against drug-related violence, according to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau
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The minister's stark words highlight the growing concern over drug trafficking and associated violence spreading beyond major cities to smaller towns and rural areas across France.
The gunfight in Poitiers erupted around 10.45pm, with police finding the first casualty on the ground.
A 15-year-old was critically wounded with a bullet to the head, while two other teenagers suffered shoulder and ankle injuries.
Local prosecutor Cyril Lacombe stated that 50 to 60 people were involved in the clash, contradicting earlier reports of up to 600 participants.
The incident is believed to be linked to drug dealing in the area.
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Retailleau stated 'We are at a tipping point and the choice is between a general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country'
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“The initial findings of the investigation suggest that the shooter had been selling drugs in the Couronneries area in the previous few days,“ Lacombe said.
In a separate event in Rennes, a five-year-old child was left fighting for life after being shot in the head during another drug-related shootout.
Retailleau commented, "These shootings are not happening in South America, they're happening in Rennes and Poitiers."
The recent violence follows a hard-hitting French senatorial report, which warned that France is "submerged by drug dealing".
The report criticised President Emmanuel Macron's response as "meagre and not up to the task".
It highlighted that drug trafficking has spread beyond traditional urban centres to medium-sized towns and rural areas.
With cocaine flooding in from South America and consumption on the rise, organised crime is expanding its reach.
The French anti-drugs agency, Ofast, warned that even smaller urban areas are now experiencing "kidnappings, violence and even murder".
Retailleau has called for the fight against drug trafficking to become a "national cause" similar to that against terrorism, proposing measures such as a status for repentant drug traffickers and a dedicated national drugs prosecutor's office.
The issue of youth violence, often linked to drug trafficking, is causing increasing public concern in France.
Marseille, in particular, has seen a surge in violent crimes involving teenagers.
Last year, the city recorded 49 murders, many attributed to rival gangs DZ Mafia and Yoda.
In a shocking incident last month, a 15-year-old boy was brutally stabbed and set on fire while still alive.
Just two days later, a 14-year-old, hired for revenge, mistakenly killed an innocent part-time taxi driver.
In response, Interior Minister Retailleau is set to visit Marseille next Friday with Justice Minister Didier Migaud to announce new measures aimed at addressing this critical situation.
