Presumed DZ Mafia leader Mehdi Laribi arrested in Algeria on French warrant

Arrest in Algiers

Mehdi Laribi, a 36-year-old Franco-Algerian from the Bassens housing estate in Marseille, was arrested in Algiers in late July on a French warrant and placed under judicial supervision rather than detention. Known by the alias "Tic", inherited from a character in the 2008 French film "Khamsa", Laribi is described by French authorities as a founding member and presumed leader of the DZ Mafia, the criminal organisation that controls much of the drug trade in Marseille and has expanded operations to other French cities. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin identified him as a priority target.

“A priority target of French justice in the fight against drugs and organised crime has been arrested in Algeria. Thanks to the Algerian authorities for this breakthrough and this cooperation in connection with the national anti-organised-crime prosecutor's office (PNACO) and the Marseille prosecutor's office.”

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez separately praised on X the arrest of "one of the founding members of the DZ Mafia criminal organisation". The DZ Mafia's name references Djazair, the Arabic word for Algeria. Laribi had left France to operate from abroad, according to Franceinfo, which is why he was arrested in Algeria.

The "Octopus" investigation

The arrest followed an international warrant issued by the Marseille public prosecutor's office as part of the "Octopus" investigation, for directing and organising a group for the purpose of drug trafficking, criminal association, money laundering and drug offences, charges that carry a life sentence. A large-scale operation in March 2026 deployed around 900 gendarmes, detaining about forty people, of whom 26 were placed under formal investigation. Among them were several alleged DZ Mafia leaders, including Amine Oualane and Gabriel Ory, both already in prison at the time and suspected of running criminal activities from detention.

Marseille public prosecutor Nicolas Bessone told Franceinfo he was very satisfied with the arrest, describing Laribi as someone who played the role of "importer" and "logistician" within the clan.

“The DZ Mafia functions a bit like a cartel with several bosses.”

Bessone noted that Laribi could be extradited to France, tried in Algeria at France's request, or remain there due to his dual nationality, since Algeria does not extradite its nationals. French justice has filed about ten requests for judicial assistance targeting DZ Mafia leaders believed to be across the Mediterranean.

The DZ Mafia-Yoda war

Laribi is suspected of having played an important role in the war between the DZ Mafia and the rival Yoda clan, whose alleged head is Félix Bingui. That conflict lasted close to a year and killed 47 people. Bessone cautioned that while some members are in custody and others are fugitive, the DZ Mafia continues its criminal activities, making it premature to say Laribi had stepped back from the organisation.

Expansion into intimidation

The DZ Mafia has moved beyond drug trafficking into intimidation and extortion of local public figures. On July 20, the mayor of Alès (Gard), Christophe Rivenq, was evacuated from his home by RAID officers after receiving two 9mm bullets in an envelope signed by the DZ Mafia; threatening tags were also written on the walls of his property. In January, the car of Amandine Demore, communist mayor of Echirolles (Isère), was set alight. In 2024, Marseille rapper SCH escaped a shooting that killed one of his close associates. On July 23, the car of reality-television personality Carla Moreau was found partially burned, with the Marseille prosecutor's office investigating a possible DZ Mafia link. According to Le Parisien, rapper Jul, a local icon, was forced to leave the region for his safety.

Diplomatic context

The arrest follows a visit by Darmanin to Algiers in May aimed at relaunching judicial cooperation between the two countries. After months of tension between Paris and Algiers, the cooperation on this case represents a tentative easing of relations. Laribi had been on the run from authorities for years before his arrest in Algiers.