The BBC has documented the operations of violent drug gangs in Marseille, France, where vulnerable youth are lured into illegal activities such as drug dealing, kidnapping, torture and murder.
In 2022, on a housing estate in Marseille’s Frais-Vallon area, a woman purchased hashish from a teenage dealer who handed her a note stating: 'We're being held captive and need help. We are 15-years-old.' A French court later heard that two boys had initially approached the gang seeking paid work but were soon accused of financial shortfalls.
As punishment for these alleged failures, they faced regular beatings, were forced to dance naked in front of cameras as blackmail, and one boy was raped. The teenagers attempted escape through a second-storey window; one escaped with injuries while the other was caught, beaten and stabbed—surviving the attack.
Photos taken on the phone by one of the alleged torturers showed several young men in distressed conditions. Six men have since been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement.
DZ Mafia: A Gang That Uses Social Media
The DZ Mafia gang emerged victorious from a turf war in 2023 and is now considered one of France’s most feared criminal organisations. It gained prominence when it became the first French gang to use social media as a marketing tool—a strategy known as branding through video statements.
In July, after intelligence suggested threats against a local mayor, police placed him under protection. In an online video released by the group, six masked men dressed in black stood behind a table reading a statement denying any connection with DZ Mafia.
Dimitri Zoulas, head of France's anti-drug trafficking unit, stated that cocaine usage in France is expected soon to reach two million—up from 600,000 in 2017—and that drug smuggling generates €7 billion annually involving around 200,000 people.
Official figures show more than 10,000 children were involved in some capacity within illegal drug operations during 2025. The gang recruits young individuals across France—not only for selling drugs but also for carrying out violent acts such as kidnappings and murders.
A Mother’s Tragedy: Hugo Brouillard
Karine Brouillard lives nearly 1,000km from Marseille in northern France. Her son Hugo first ran away at age 15 after a family argument. Police found him three days later in Marseille with money and cannabis on him.
He returned to his parents years later in 2023, claiming he had secured a holiday job near the city. He regularly updated them about his life until one week before an emergency call came—'Your son arrived last night. He took a bullet to the head.'
Police believe Hugo was brought into a gang-controlled area for medical treatment and suspect involvement with DZ Mafia or similar gangs.
DZ Mafia’s Power Base
The Quartier Nord district of Marseille is central to DZ Mafia's operations. The BBC team gained access through Fadella Ouidef, a 41-year-old mother-of-four who provided guidance during entry into housing estates in the area.
Upon entering one estate, car horns sound immediately as teenagers at a checkpoint stop their vehicle—indicating active surveillance by gang members.
These areas are known for high levels of youth vulnerability due to economic deprivation and limited opportunities, making them prime recruitment zones for gangs that exploit children with promises of financial gain.