Fatal Beating in Valence: Seven Arrested in Drug-Related Attack
In a shocking incident in Valence, Drôme, a 30-year-old man was found dead after a brutal beating linked to a drug dispute. The victim, who was supposed to deliver cocaine, allegedly deceived his assailants, prompting what authorities describe as a "punitive expedition". On September 14, shortly before 11 p.m., the victim was struck by a vehicle and subsequently attacked by a group of seven individuals. According to Valence's public prosecutor, Laurent de Caigny, this violent confrontation stemmed from a drug debt that escalated into a deadly ambush.
The victim, known to law enforcement for previous convictions, was reportedly supposed to deliver cocaine but instead sold flour, leading to a confrontation with the main aggressor. The attackers, some wearing balaclavas, set a trap for the victim, who managed to escape initially but was later caught and assaulted violently. Following the attack, the suspects fled the scene, but their burnt-out vehicle was found hours later, revealing crucial evidence in the investigation.
The suspects, who have been arrested and are now facing serious charges including "murder by an organized gang", admitted to participating in a drug-related action but denied having knowledge of any homicide plan. The victim's history with the justice system includes multiple convictions for theft and drug trafficking, indicating a troubled background that ultimately led to this tragic outcome.
