Two figures in Marseille's drug trafficking network, wanted by French authorities, have been placed in pretrial detention in Algeria. Mehdi Laribi, described as one of the alleged founders of the DZ Mafia, and Djamel Djeha were arrested in recent weeks by Algerian authorities before being released under judicial supervision. Their situation has now changed: both men are incarcerated. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced their pretrial detention on Monday. The two Franco-Algerians are among the priority targets of the French justice system in several investigations related to Marseille's drug trafficking.
Mehdi Laribi, one of the alleged founders of the DZ Mafia
Mehdi Abdelatif Laribi, nicknamed "Tic," is 36 years old. French investigators describe him as one of the alleged founders of the DZ Mafia, a criminal organization that became a major player in the Marseille drug trade. He had left France and was wanted on an international arrest warrant. French authorities suspect him of continuing to operate from abroad. Laribi was finally arrested in Algeria on July 20. His arrest is linked to the so-called "Octopus" investigation, a large-scale operation targeting the DZ Mafia. This investigation had already led, in March, to a major operation in France and 26 indictments. After his arrest in Algeria, Mehdi Laribi had been released under judicial supervision. This situation has now ended with his placement in pretrial detention.
Djamel Djeha, another priority target of the French justice system
The second man imprisoned is Djamel Djeha. He too is considered a key figure in Marseille's drug trafficking and was wanted by French authorities. He is notably linked to investigations into drug trafficking in Marseille's northern districts and to the Castellane network. His name appears in another major French judicial investigation, codenamed "Empire." Djeha was also recently arrested in Algeria before being placed under judicial supervision. Like Mehdi Laribi, he has now been placed in pretrial detention at the request of the Algiers prosecutor's office.
Gérald Darmanin welcomes their imprisonment
Gérald Darmanin personally confirmed the change in the two men's legal status. "They are therefore no longer under simple judicial supervision ," the Minister of Justice stated. He described Mehdi Laribi and Djamel Djeha as two "major drug traffickers" and "priority targets" of the French justice system. This detention is a significant step in the French proceedings, as both suspects hold Algerian nationality. Algeria does not extradite its citizens, which complicates their potential transfer to France.
Two French arrest warrants executed in Algeria
The arrests were carried out in Algeria pursuant to warrants issued by the French judiciary. They come after the resumption of judicial cooperation between Paris and Algiers, following a period of significant tension in relations between the two countries. Gérald Darmanin notably traveled to Algiers in the spring to re-establish judicial exchanges between the two nations. The cases of several Franco-Algerian drug traffickers wanted by France were among those being monitored. For Mehdi Laribi and Djamel Djeha, the situation is now considerably more restrictive: after their arrest and subsequent placement under judicial supervision, the two men are now behind bars in Algeria.
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