Learning about the chilling “barbecue” murders carried out by drug gangs deeply traumatised Amine Kessaci, a resident of Marseilles, also France’s bustling southern city and the news was even more heartbreaking when he discovered that the victim was his elder brother. A day Kessaci, then 17 and studying law, recalls with a sense of horror and dread. His 22-year-old brother had been dragged into the violent gang scene and eventually became the casualty of a revenge murder. Kessaci’s own devastating experience mirrors the escalating danger rampant in his city.
In 2023, drug-fuelled homicides in Marseilles had dramatically increased by 50%, with the death toll being pegged at 49, a considerable upsurge from 20 in 2020. This rise in violence had been building up, culminating with a brutal feud between the local factions of Yoda and DZ Mafia, as reported by police officers and judiciary officers.
Despite witnessing a slowdown in the killings in the current year, Marseilles continues to illustrate the difficulties faced by French Law enforcement in their efforts to contested an increased drug trade and its associated violence throughout the country. Apart from cannabis, which remains illegal in France even for personal use, there has been noted an increased uptake and distribution of cocaine. The illicit business has invaded even smaller towns and pastoral areas.
Recently in Normandy, the cold-blooded killing of two prison wardens during the day by masked men equipped with assault weapons forcefully pushed the issue of drug-related violence under the spotlight. The assailants, caught on tape, slammed into a van housing prisoners at a toll stop, ensuring the escape of their ally, Mohamed Amra, also known as “The Fly”, an alleged drug trafficker. He is currently being scrutinised in relation to his involvement in another “barbecue” killing in Marseilles. These ruthless organisations tend to target and lure young individuals from poverty-stricken and migrant communities.
A 23-year-old ex-member of a Marseilles gang, currently serving a prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter unrelated to a vehicle accident, shared his story through an illicit phone call from jail. Recruited at the tender age of 14 as a lookout, his earnings were around €100 per day. His motivation – a dire need for money.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has visited the Southern port twice in a bid to bring attention to the government’s actions against the rampant drug problem, including a promotional visit in March for the Clean Streets – or Place Nette – campaign, aimed at destabilising recognised drug dens. Despite the allocation of billions in funds for increased police forces and court officials, the escalation of the drug trade has overwhelmed these extra resources.
A recent report by French senators cautioned that the country is at risk of being “overwhelmed” by illegal drugs despite police seizures increasing. The annual earnings of drug smugglers, projected to be within the range of €3.5 billion-€6 billion, is overpowering police and courts with their enormous resources.
Senator Jérôme Durain, co-leader of the investigation, highlighted the inadequacy of law enforcement’s weaponry against these drug cartels, leading to an “asymmetric conflict”. Durain criticises the current practice of arresting petty dealers, as seen in the Clean Streets campaign, calling it inefficient. He suggests a shift in focus to nabbing the syndicate leaders and investigating their finances.
Despite frenzied searches, Amra still remains elusive, inciting more outrage. Right-leaning politicians have warned against a potential transition towards a “Mexicanisation”.
The senate’s report not only acknowledged the likelihood of gangs resorting to violence to settle disputes but also highlighted the potential corrupting influences among law enforcement and civil servants.
Senator Etienne Blanc, a co-reporter of the manuscript, called out the government to realise the enormity and vastness of the risks at hand. “France might not yet be a narco-state, but it’s showing signs of becoming one.”
Marseilles gained notoriety as a pivot for the drug trade during the 1960s through the infamous French Connection. Orchestrated by the Corsican mafia, this operation trafficked heroin cultivated in Asia via the port city en route to the US.
Beyond being a pivotal point of transit, there has been a significant evolution into a market of importance. This notable market is gradually gaining reputation for its export of goods and workers to a larger arena housing approximately 400 trading locations, according to Bruno Bartocetti, a spokesperson for Provence’s Unité SGP Police Union.
Previously peaceful cities like Avignon and Nîmes are now witnessing incidents of violent drug crimes. A notch in this grim timeline was the unfortunate fatality of a 10-year-old caught in a shootout.
The epicentre of the narcotic business within Marseilles nests within the neighbourhoods of quartiers nords. Characterised by concrete tower blocks of social housing built primarily in the 1960s for accommodating residents of slums and migrants from France’s erstwhile north African colonies, this area paints the backdrop of the trade.
Hidden alleys laden with rubbish serve as sales points and barriers against law enforcement raids. Locals, such as Kessaci, explain that even though dealing locations are temporarily cleared by the police, they tend to crop up again swiftly after. Nevertheless, the short reprieve from these raids is appreciated by the residents.
Motivated by a personal tragedy, Kessaci has taken up activism against drug crime following the death of his brother. Currently on the electoral track for Europe representing France’s Green Party, he also engages in helping youth find employment opportunities rather than falling into the hands of gangs.
Given that the joblessness rate amongst individuals aged 15-24 in the quartiers nords is double the national rate, providing alternatives is deemed a significant challenge.
Police officer and union representative, Eddy Sid, has reported that gangs are turning to social media for recruitment, enticing adolescents from outside Marseilles with offers of food and accommodation. Those who start off as gang recruits could eventually be given tasks as assassins, earning thousands.
According to Sid, the change in the demographics of the players is disturbing with the scale of violence escalating from verbal to physical. Additionally, the player’s affinity and lack of concern for violence is increasing.
Even within a community accustomed to violence, the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old law student, Socayna, in her own room by a stray bullet during a gang conflict over territories remains a shock.
“The constant gunfire is causing severe distress to everyone who experiences it,” states Laetitia Linon (43), a custodian residing in Marseilles, who helped establish a relief group for the relatives of victims. Her 14-year-old nephew, Rayanne, was fatally shot when he left the house to purchase lunch. “This shouldn’t be a commonplace occurrence,” she laments. – The Financial Times Limited 2024 copyright.