Major Crackdown in France: 42 Arrested in Operation Against DZ Mafia

On March 10, 2026, French authorities carried out a large-scale operation codenamed Octopus, leading to the arrest of 42 people linked to the powerful DZ Mafia criminal group. Police and gendarmerie actions primarily targeted Marseille, but officers also struck in other regions of the country, including southeastern France. Among those investigated and arrested was, among others, a lawyer from Lyon, indicating the organization's broad influence in various spheres of public life. The prosecution confirmed that three alleged gang leaders, who were already in prison facilities managing the group's operations at the time of the action, fell into the hands of the authorities. Significant forces were involved in the strike, including over a hundred gendarmes supported by units specialized in combating organized crime. The DZ Mafia has long dominated the criminal landscape of southern France, waging a bloody war for control of the drug market. The group's main rival is the Yoda clan, and their mutual rivalry has led to dozens of murders and an unprecedented rise in violence in Marseille in recent years. This conflict has become a symbol of the brutalization of the drug trade, where increasingly younger people recruited to guard sales points are becoming victims.

However, the operational success was overshadowed by internal friction within the structures of the French justice system and law enforcement. Media reports the emergence of a phenomenon described as crispations, meaning clear tensions between judges and judicial police officers in Marseille. The dispute concerns investigation methods and the coordination of actions that led to so many arrests at one time. Despite these difficulties, the prosecution emphasizes the importance of dismantling the command structure of the DZ Mafia, which terrorized the residents of France's second-largest city. Investigators are now analyzing the secured evidence, which is expected to allow for charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and participation in a criminal association. 42 (people) — total number of arrests in Operation Octopus

The scale of Operation Octopus shows the state's determination in fighting drug clans that have transformed some neighborhoods of Marseille into gang-controlled zones. The arrest of leaders already in prison suggests that authorities have identified the communication channels through which DZ Mafia bosses issued sentences and instructions to their subordinates on the outside. The involvement of a lawyer in the structures under investigation sheds new light on the group's logistical support, which was able to infiltrate professional circles to protect its interests. Operation Octopus Timeline: March 10, morning — Strike Begins; March 10, noon — Arrests in Lyon; March 10, evening — Prosecutor's Statement

The war between the DZ Mafia and the Yoda clan has become a priority for the French government in the area of internal security due to the number of civilian casualties. Today's strike is meant to be a signal that no criminal organization can feel untouchable, even if its leaders are behind bars. Experts point out, however, that the arrests are only the beginning of a long judicial process that will require close cooperation between the currently feuding magistrates and police.

Perspektywy mediów: Media emphasize the operational success and the effectiveness of the police in dismantling DZ Mafia structures. Commentators point to the paralyzing conflict between judges and police, which could harm the investigation. Operation Octopus Results: 1. Arrested gang members — 42; 2. Leaders facing charges — 3; 3. Forces involved — 100+