Marseille Crackdown Nets Two Dozen in ‘DZ Mafia’ Investigation
MARSEILLE, France (AP) – A sweeping operation targeting the “DZ Mafia” drug network in Marseille has led to the indictment of 26 individuals, with 15 currently held in provisional detention, authorities announced Saturday. The crackdown, dubbed “Octopus,” follows the earlier arrest of 42 people linked to the criminal organization.
Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone detailed the results of the operation, which aimed to dismantle the leadership of the group. The “DZ Mafia,” described in recent reports as operating a franchise-style drug trade, has been linked to escalating violence in the French city.
The investigation took a concerning turn with the arrest of an attorney accused of corruption. According to officials, the lawyer allegedly facilitated communication between a detained high-ranking member of the organization and individuals on the outside. Bessone explained that the inmate, held in a high-security prison designed to curb drug trafficking from behind bars, was able to send messages via attorney-client correspondence and the lawyer’s computer.
A source close to the investigation revealed the arrested lawyer is based in Lyon and was scheduled to defend a suspected DZ Mafia boss in a 2019 double homicide case later this month.
The operation comes amid growing public concern over drug-related violence in Marseille. A recent BBC report highlighted the dominance of the DZ Mafia in the city’s drug trade, while also noting the fragmented nature of the criminal landscape. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr7l0nyxxygo
This case underscores the challenges authorities face in combating organized crime and preventing corruption within the legal system. Further details are expected as the investigation continues. Le Parisien has more on the operation. https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/operation-anti-dz-mafia-26-personnes-mises-en-examen-dont-15-placees-en-detention-provisoire-14-03-2026-2YTPUEKL7JDX7HUTSLHMZPFFEU.php
