23 Indicted in Connection with DZ Mafia Drug Trafficking in Toulon
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking activities, 23 individuals, including five minors, have been indicted in Toulon, France, for their alleged connections to the notorious DZ Mafia gang. This announcement follows a recent raid in Marseille linked to a double homicide, highlighting the ongoing gang warfare in the region. Toulon prosecutor Samuel Finielz confirmed that the indictments stem from two separate investigations into attempts by the DZ Mafia to establish control over drug dealing points in La Seyne-sur-Mer and Hyères.
The investigations began on January 28, 2024, when four armed individuals invaded a couple's home in La Seyne-sur-Mer, seeking to steal cash from their safes. This incident, reportedly ordered from prison by a member of the DZ Mafia, led to the arrest of eight individuals. Prosecutor Finielz noted that while some of the accused admitted to acting on behalf of the gang, others were evasive about their affiliations.
Gang Warfare Escalates in Southern France
The DZ Mafia is currently the dominant force in the Marseille drug market, having recently clashed with the Yoda gang. The gang's violent tactics have resulted in a record number of drug-related homicides in Marseille, with 49 recorded in 2023 alone. As the turf war intensifies, the DZ Mafia is now facing off against the so-called 'Blacks' clan, marking a shift in the geographic focus of the violence.
In a related incident on January 20-21, 2024, an attempted takeover of a drug dealing point in Hyères resulted in gunfire, with assailants claiming to act on behalf of the DZ Mafia. This operation was also reportedly orchestrated from prison. Following these violent attempts, a retaliatory arson attack occurred on February 27-28, targeting an apartment linked to local traffickers, injuring its occupants.
The Toulon prosecutor's office has indicated that the investigations are ongoing, with several suspects already in custody for their involvement in these violent incidents. The situation remains tense as law enforcement continues to combat the escalating drug violence in the region.
