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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/3020(RSP))

On the murder of Mehdi Kessaci: urgent need for ambitious European action against drug trafficking

B-10-2026-0057

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: FrançoisXavier Bellamy

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

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This resolution condemns the murder of Mehdi Kessaci and calls for stronger EU action against drug trafficking, covering security, prevention, social resilience, and support for victims and activists. It urges better law enforcement cooperation, asset confiscation, port security, online prevention, and social investment in deprived areas, while warning against cohesion policy changes.

Key points

  1. Condemns the murder of Mehdi Kessaci and expresses condolences to his family and all victims of drug trafficking.
  2. Pays tribute to Amine Kessaci and grassroots activists, recognizing their role and the need for better support and protection.
  3. Supports the EU drugs strategy and its balanced approach, including prevention, judicial and police cooperation, and cooperation with third countries.
  4. Calls for strengthening security measures, including evaluation of the framework decision on drug trafficking, public-private cooperation, and a new European strategy for ports.
  5. Calls for reinforcing police and judicial resources and joint cross-border operations in hotspots like Marseille, Antwerp, and Rotterdam.
  6. Urges stronger cooperation and information exchange among authorities, and full use of the asset recovery directive, allowing confiscated property for social purposes.
  7. Highlights the need for judicial cooperation with third countries and welcomes agreements with Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lebanon.
  8. Calls for common approaches to organised crime, including an 'assisting offender' status, protection of minors, and linking drug trafficking to other crimes.
  9. Calls for making the fight against drug trafficking a pillar of the European port strategy and supporting port workers, dockers, and fishers.
  10. Stresses the importance of prevention, including online, and calls for effective implementation of the Digital Services Act to prevent recruitment and violence.
  11. Calls for structural action using EU funds to address social and territorial factors, and expresses concern about cohesion policy renationalisation.
  12. Calls for integrating victims' families and civil society into drug policy development and supporting activists like Amine Kessaci.

Who is affected

  • Families of drug trafficking victims, who should be included in policy-making and supported with relocation and employment.
  • Port workers, dockers, and fishers, who face pressure from trafficking networks and need training and protection.
  • Grassroots associations and activists, who need financial support and recognition.
  • Deprived urban neighbourhoods, which need investment to prevent criminal infiltration.

Figures and deadlines

  • 24 people murdered in Marseille in 2024 and 49 in 2023.
  • Almost 90 killings related to drug trafficking in Guadeloupe and Martinique in 2025.
  • Almost 50% of Europe's most dangerous criminal networks are involved in drug trafficking.
  • 28% of firearms seizures in Europe are linked to drug trafficking.
  • 752 tonnes of cannabis and 419 tonnes of cocaine seized in the EU in 2023.
  • 2.7 million young adults aged 15-34 reported using drugs in the past year.
  • Almost 7,500 drug-related deaths in 2023.
  • Around 70% of customs seizures of drugs take place in port infrastructure.