France is facing a surge in cocaine trafficking, described by the interior minister as a concerning "white tsunami." Authorities seized 47 tons of cocaine in the first 11 months of 2024, more than double the amount confiscated in the entire year of 2023. The minister emphasized the responsibility of drug users in fueling a dangerous illicit economy by consuming cocaine.
In a media campaign highlighting the consequences of cocaine use, a graphic illustration portrays cocaine as a fuse igniting fires and violence, with a stark message to users about the direct impact of their drug purchases. The increase in fines for drug use, totaling nearly 197,000 cases in the past year, demonstrates the growing issue.
Beyond France, Europe is grappling with widespread cocaine consumption, making it the second most prevalent illicit drug after cannabis. The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) reported a record 84,000 cocaine seizures in 2022, amounting to 323 tons, with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain accounting for the majority of seizures due to their roles as key entry points for cocaine trafficking.
Notably, in 2023, Antwerp saw an increase in cocaine seizures, while Spain intercepted its largest shipment of cocaine, 9.5 tons concealed in bananas from Ecuador. Surveys cited by EUDA indicate that approximately 2.5 million young adults in the EU, representing 2.5% of the 15- to 34-year-old age group, admitted to using cocaine in the past year, with higher percentages in countries like the Netherlands and Ireland. France registered a usage rate of 3.2% in 2017.