Prominent DZ Mafia member arrested in Algeria, boosting Franco-Algerian crime cooperation

Algerian authorities have arrested Rachid Djeha, identified as a prominent member of the DZ Mafia, a major criminal organization operating in France. The detention occurred earlier this week, just weeks after the arrest of one of the group's founders in Algeria.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin described Djeha's capture as "new proof of our effectiveness in the fight against organized crime." He expressed gratitude to Algerian authorities for their renewed cooperation, stating it serves the security interests of both nations. Djeha, along with his brother Mohamed, is implicated in a broad investigation into drug trafficking operations in Marseille's La Castellane neighborhood.

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new proof of our effectiveness in the fight against organized crime.

This development is part of a broader crackdown on the DZ Mafia, which French law enforcement and judicial bodies link to extensive drug trafficking and violent score-settling, including murders, primarily in Marseille and surrounding areas. The arrest of Mehdi Laribi, also known as 'TIC' and one of the DZ Mafia's founders, occurred in July under an international arrest warrant. Laribi was released under judicial supervision. The increased cooperation between France and Algeria, marked by recent visits from French ministers of Justice and Interior, follows a period of diplomatic strain between the two countries.

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this cooperation relaunched at the service of the security of our two countries.