France has faced a series of criminal incidents over the past two weeks in which the name of the “DZ Mafia” has repeatedly surfaced. The Marseille-based Franco-Algerian organized crime network is widely associated with the violent drug trade in southern France, although the group has publicly denied involvement in at least one of the latest cases.
In mid-July, Christophe Rivenq, the mayor of Alès, was placed under police protection after receiving alleged death threats at his home. Alès is located less than 200 kilometers from Marseille.
The mayor reportedly discovered an envelope containing two 9mm bullets in his mailbox. The words “DZ Mafia NG” had also been spray-painted on his garden fence. The initials “NG,” believed to stand for “New Generation,” may indicate the involvement of another criminal group using a similar name.
Rivenq said at the time that he had never previously received threats of this kind. He suggested the intimidation could be connected to recent successes by local authorities in combating drug trafficking.
The security alert intensified on July 20, when police evacuated Rivenq from his residence amid suspicions that a vehicle parked outside the property might contain an explosive device.
France’s interior minister described the incident as an alleged plot to carry out a violent attack against an elected official. The case was subsequently transferred to the National Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, known as PNACO.
PNACO confirmed to OCCRP that it had opened an investigation in cooperation with prosecutors from Marseille’s Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction.
Investigators are examining allegations including threats, violence or intimidation intended to influence an elected official in the performance of their duties; death threats and threats to damage the property of an elected official; and participation in an organized criminal conspiracy.
The case comes amid growing concern over the expansion of Marseille-based drug networks into Alès. Over the past year, the DZ Mafia has reportedly sought to displace local trafficking groups and establish control over parts of the city’s drug market.
That territorial struggle turned deadly in June 2026, when an 18-year-old man was shot and killed in an Alès neighborhood affected by drug trafficking.
A separate incident occurred during the night of July 23 to 24, only days after the mayor’s evacuation. A vehicle belonging to a social media influencer was set on fire outside her home in Marseille.
According to media reports, a note signed “DZ Mafia” was discovered near the property. The message allegedly demanded a payment of 600,000 euros, equivalent to approximately US$683,000.
The Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed to OCCRP that it had opened a separate investigation into the suspected arson and extortion attempt.
The inquiry concerns the destruction of property by dangerous means as part of an organized group, attempted extortion by an organized group and criminal conspiracy.
The DZ Mafia name re-emerged when individuals claiming to represent the organization released a video addressing the threats against Mayor Rivenq.
The footage shows three men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas. One of them reads a prepared statement from a mobile phone.
Although the speaker openly acknowledged that the group was involved in drug trafficking, he denied responsibility for threatening the mayor. He claimed the organization did not target elected officials and was focused exclusively on its criminal business activities.
The statement did not mention the arson attack or the alleged extortion attempt involving the Marseille influencer.
“Addressed to the French public, this video is a way for us to make our voices heard,” the speaker said. “This concerns a serious case that has once again thrust the name of the DZ Mafia into the spotlight.”
He described the threats against Rivenq as a “cowardly and heinous act” and insisted that the organization had played no role in the incident.
“We are in no way responsible for this criminal act,” he said, adding that people who target police officers or elected officials should face severe punishment.
The speaker also questioned what benefit the organization could gain from threatening a mayor, arguing that such incidents attract law-enforcement attention and damage its operations.
He said the group accepted being described as a drug-trafficking organization but sought to avoid conflicts that were not directly related to its activities.
“We prioritize the well-being of our business over any political issues, gang wars or acts of revenge,” he said.
The identities of the men appearing in the video have not been independently verified, and their claim to speak on behalf of the DZ Mafia remains unconfirmed.
When contacted by OCCRP, the communications department of Alès town hall said Mayor Rivenq did not wish to comment further.
