Major police operation targets DZ Mafia in France, 26 suspects charged

Saturday 14 - 12:21

French authorities have charged 26 people following a large-scale police operation targeting the criminal network known as the DZ Mafia, prosecutors announced in Marseille.

The operation, described by officials as unprecedented, mobilized nearly 900 members of the National Gendarmerie as part of a broad investigation launched in early 2024 to dismantle the core leadership of the powerful narcotics group.

According to the Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone, the investigation focused on the central structure of the organization, which authorities say currently dominates a significant share of the drug market in Marseille and has expanded its influence across the Rhône Valley and other parts of France.

Following the arrest of around 40 suspects, prosecutors formally charged 26 individuals, with 15 placed in pretrial detention. The group of suspects includes nine women, a development authorities say reflects a growing role of women within organized narcotics networks.

Among those charged are two rappers, identified as Dika and KITKVT. Dika was placed under judicial supervision, while KITKVT was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.

An attorney has also been detained in connection with the investigation. Prosecutors allege that the lawyer helped one of the suspected leaders of the organization—already imprisoned in a high-security facility—communicate with individuals outside prison. Authorities say the communication may have occurred through legal correspondence or access to digital devices.

Several suspected leaders of the group were already serving sentences in high-security prisons designed to prevent criminal networks from coordinating operations while incarcerated.

The name DZ Mafia emerged during a violent wave of gang-related killings in Marseille in 2023 linked to conflicts with rival criminal groups. Since then, investigators say the organization has consolidated its control over local drug trafficking routes.

Authorities also believe the network has diversified its activities beyond drug trafficking, including alleged extortion targeting businesses. The group’s name has previously surfaced in investigations related to an attempted extortion involving the French rapper SCH, an incident that resulted in the killing of one of his associates.

Officials note that despite the region experiencing a relative lull in violence recently, the strong influence of the criminal organization remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies.