The Shadow in the South: France's Drug Wars Come for Its Elected Officials The recent removal of Christophe Rivenq, the mayor of Alès, from his home by an elite police unit serves as a stark reminder that even in the heart of Europe, organized crime can exert significant influence.
The incident highlights France's struggle against its increasingly deadly drug trade.
The DZ Mafia, once a local player in Marseille, has grown into one of France's main security threats through ruthless tactics and domination of the illicit market.