Algeria arrests alleged DZ Mafia founder Mehdi Laribi, a key target of French justice

Arrest and warrant

Mehdi Laribi, a Franco-Algerian known as "TIC" and described as a founding member of the DZ Mafia, was arrested in Algiers in late July and placed under judicial supervision rather than detention, judicial sources told Franceinfo and AFP on 5 August. No precise date for the arrest has been made public. 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. Laribi is 36 and holds dual French and Algerian nationality. Bessone said he was "very satisfied" with the arrest, calling Laribi "someone who is reputed to be a presumed founding member of the DZ Mafia and who plays a very important role in the organisation."

I am very satisfied with this arrest. It is indeed someone who is reputed as a presumed founding member of the DZ Mafia and who plays a very important role in the organisation.

The Octopus probe had already led to a major operation in southern France in March, involving around 900 gendarmes, with about forty people detained and 26 placed under formal investigation. Among them were several alleged DZ Mafia leaders, including Amine Oualane and Gabriel Ory, who were already in prison and are suspected of having run the organisation from detention.

Diplomatic gesture

The arrest is being read as a political signal from Algiers, which has been working to rebuild ties with Paris after a sharp deterioration in 2024. That year, France backed a Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, prompting Algeria to recall its ambassador. Tensions deepened after the arrest in Algiers of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in November 2024; he was pardoned by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in November 2025. In May, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin visited Algiers to discuss cooperation against organised crime with his counterpart Lotfi Boudjemaa. Darmanin announced the arrest on X on Wednesday morning and thanked the Algerian authorities for "this progress and this cooperation, in liaison with the national anti-organised-crime prosecutor's office and the Marseille prosecutor's office".

A priority target of French justice in the fight against drugs and organised crime has been arrested in Algeria.

Bessone noted that the arrest came "quite quickly" after the warrant, demonstrating "great cooperation," and credited Darmanin's engagement on the Algerian dossier.

The DZ Mafia's reach

The DZ Mafia controls a large share of drug trafficking in Marseille, a hub for narcotics entering France, and has expanded to other French cities. The gang operates like a cartel with multiple leaders, according to Bessone. 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. He kept a low profile after 2023 and, investigators believe, has run the organisation from the southern shore of the Mediterranean for several years. The organisation has diversified beyond drugs into extortion of businesses, police sources say. In November 2024, authorities seized one million euros in cash from several criminal networks including the DZ Mafia; in autumn 2025, they seized two million euros in cash and six million in gold bars.

Extradition uncertainty

Algeria does not extradite its nationals, and Laribi holds dual citizenship. Bessone outlined two possible paths: extradition to France, or a formal denunciation by French justice so that Laribi could be tried in Algeria. French judicial authorities have submitted about 10 mutual legal assistance requests concerning suspected DZ Mafia leaders believed to be in Algeria. Fabrice Rizzoli, a specialist in organised crime, told Franceinfo the arrest was a blow but would not disrupt drug supply. "Tomorrow there will be no shortage of drugs in France, especially cocaine," he said, noting that the DZ Mafia has already split into factions, including DZ Mafia Nouvelle Génération.

It had to be done, he had to be arrested, it couldn't all remain unpunished. Especially since the investigation elements seem to show he was playing a role from Algeria.

What comes next

Laribi remains under judicial supervision in Algeria while French and Algerian authorities determine the next legal steps. The arrest is seen as a test of the renewed judicial cooperation between the two countries, with Darmanin having previously said the threat from drug trafficking is at least equivalent to terrorism. The Marseille prosecutor stressed that the DZ Mafia continues its criminal activities and that it would be "premature" to say Laribi had withdrawn from the organisation.