Marseille: Major Drug Trafficking Network Hit Hard, 21 High-Level Suspects Arrested

On Thursday, April 24, a large-scale dawn raid was carried out in the northern districts of Marseille, resulting in the arrest of 21 individuals suspected of belonging to the upper echelons of a major drug trafficking network. The announcement was made by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau during a press conference in the city.

Operation Targets Network Leadership

Mobilizing 170 investigators, the operation focused on dismantling a highly structured network based in the Castellane housing estate. “These are not small-time dealers, but high-level figures,” emphasized the minister, describing the organization as having “national reach with local roots in Marseille.”

Among those arrested, four were already in custody and were extracted from prison. The rest were apprehended in Marseille. According to a source close to the case, the crackdown targeted a network linked to Mohamed Djeha, known as “Mimo,” one of the city’s top drug traffickers currently believed to be in Algeria. Another source estimates the network’s revenue at €10 million.

A Broader Offensive to Restore Order

This bust comes on the heels of the “Jumbo” operations launched across the Bouches-du-Rhône department to restore public safety. The day before, nearly 10,000 people were stopped and searched, several shops were closed, and numerous illegal goods were seized. The minister vowed these efforts would continue and be repeated.

“This blow dealt is, I hope, a fatal one to the organization,” concluded Bruno Retailleau, praising the efforts of law enforcement in the ongoing battle against criminal networks undermining public security in parts of Marseille.