The mayor of Cannes calls for an anti

Cannes Mayor David Lisnard has requested the state to conduct a targeted operation to combat drugs during the Cannes Film Festival from May 12 to 23, also targeting participants in the global cinema event.

“I am requesting the implementation of a specific and extensive control action to fight against drugs during the film festival period, throughout the city, including the Croisette area and near festival attendees,” detailed the mayor in a letter addressed to the Grasse prosecutor and communicated to the press.

David Lisnard, who recently left LR party and declared his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, wants this operation to be “jointly conducted by the national police and municipal police.”

“We often focus on security and logistics during major events like the festival, which attracts 200,000 people. I think it would also be appropriate to take advantage of the police reinforcements during this period to show that the fight against drugs is ongoing throughout the year, regardless of the neighborhood and the public involved,” justified the mayor.

“It is not about stigmatizing festival-goers, against whom I have no prejudice, but conversely, it would be strange to think that there are fewer drugs inside the festival than outside,” added David Lisnard.

“Festival or no festival, there are always drug control operations taking place, and it concerns all locations and territories,” reminded Laurent Hottiaux, prefect of Alpes-Maritimes.

“The police forces and the public ministry have always been very committed to fighting against drugs and are committed to protecting citizens from this scourge by deploying all the legal means at their disposal,” responded Éric Camous, prosecutor of Grasse and recipient of the letter.