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Murder of Mehdi Kessaci – urgent need for ambitious European action against drug trafficking

TA-10-2026-0007 · P10_TA(2026)0007 · PE782.012

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

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The European Parliament condemns the murder of Mehdi Kessaci and expresses solidarity with victims of drug trafficking. It calls for stronger EU action against drug trafficking, including enhanced law enforcement, judicial cooperation, prevention, and support for affected communities. The resolution urges measures to dismantle criminal networks, protect ports and workers, address social and economic root causes, involve civil society and victims' families, and safeguard democracy from traffickers' influence.

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 activists like Amine Kessaci and calls for better recognition and support for grassroots associations.
  3. Supports the EU drugs strategy and its balanced approach, including demand reduction, judicial and police cooperation, and prevention.
  4. Calls for zero-tolerance policies on drug-driving and full use of cross-border enforcement tools.
  5. Supports strengthening security measures, including evaluation of the framework decision on drug trafficking and a new European strategy for ports.
  6. Calls for increased resources for police and judicial authorities and enhanced cross-border operations in hotspots like Marseille and Antwerp.
  7. Urges stronger cooperation and information exchange among authorities, while safeguarding fundamental rights.
  8. Calls for asset confiscation and allocation of confiscated property for social purposes, including support to grassroots organizations.
  9. Emphasizes the need for judicial cooperation with third countries and welcomes agreements with Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lebanon.
  10. Calls for common approaches to organized crime, including an 'assisting offender' status and protection of minors.
  11. Calls for integrating drug trafficking fight into port strategies, protecting port workers, and enhancing customs tools.
  12. Stresses the importance of prevention, including online, and full implementation of the Digital Services Act to prevent recruitment and violence.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement, customs, judicial authorities, and port workers will see enhanced resources and protection measures.
  • Victims' families and grassroots associations will be integrated into drug policy development and receive support.
  • Deprived urban neighborhoods will benefit from EU cohesion funds for social investments to prevent criminal infiltration.
  • Member states are called to relocate affected families and support activists against organized crime.

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 used cannabis or cocaine in the past year.
  • Almost 7,500 drug-related deaths in 2023.
  • Around 70% of customs seizures of drugs take place in port infrastructure.