homicides linked to drug trafficking down 70% since the start of the year

Five homicides linked to drug trafficking have been recorded in almost six months, compared to 23 during the same period last year.

In Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), “narchomicides”, that is to say homicides linked to drug trafficking, are down 70% since the start of the year, franceinfo learned from the prosecutor from Marseille. A police source adds that even attempted homicides are down 60%, with 19 recorded this year, compared to 46 last year.

According to the prosecution, it is in particular the balance of power between the Marseille gangs which explained the spectacular drop in “narchomicides”, with the gang called DZ Mafia which has now taken over its competitor, the Yoda gang.

But the main reason is the investigative work of the judicial police on the dismantling of teams of hired killers, and in particular two of them, aged 18 and 20, suspected of having committed alone, around twenty homicides (around ten each).

In total, in 2023, the Marseille prosecutor, Nicolas Bessone, will count 189 indictments for facts linked to the settling of scores against a backdrop of drug trafficking.

“The current, very significant reduction in the number of homicides, allows us to refocus and work on trafficking networks, on money laundering circuits with a certain number of successes, and when you are successful, you weaken the organizations .”

Nicolas Bessone

at franceinfo

Despite everything, the prosecutor remains cautious. “This can naturally lead to a recomposition, which is why we are far from declaring victory. It is a war that we will win in the long term.”

A police source tells franceinfo that work has also been carried out in prison, to ensure that prisoners linked to these two gangs are no longer able to sponsor assassinations from their cells.