Mehdi Laribi, a 34-year-old French-Algerian man, has been identified by French authorities as the alleged head of the DZ Mafia, a powerful drug trafficking network based in Marseille. Laribi, who had minor roles in French films, is now in custody facing charges related to narcotics trafficking.
According to reports from Le Parisien and other French media, Laribi was arrested in Morocco in 2025 and extradited to France. He is described as an "ultra-dangerous" trafficker by investigators, linked to a wave of violence in Marseille, including shootings and grenade attacks.
The DZ Mafia is one of several gangs fighting for control of drug turf in Marseille's northern districts. Laribi's rise from cinema to crime has drawn attention, but authorities emphasize the severity of his alleged offenses.
As of August 2026, Laribi remains in detention awaiting trial. The investigation continues, with police probing his network's operations and connections.
