Marseille Sees Surge in Drug-Related Violence

Marseille has witnessed a shocking surge in drug-related violence, highlighted by the brutal murder of a 15-year-old boy who was stabbed 50 times and burned alive. Prosecutor Nicolas Bessone described the violence as 'extraordinary' and noted that young people are increasingly involved as both perpetrators and victims. The 15-year-old was allegedly hired by a member of the DZ Mafia to intimidate a rival gang, which led to his fatal attack. In a retaliatory act, a 14-year-old was subsequently hired to kill a cab driver, which he did after the driver refused to wait for him. The city's ongoing turf wars between drug clans have resulted in 17 drug-related killings in 2024 alone, emphasizing the alarming trend of youth being recruited for violent crimes via social media. Authorities warn that easy access to drug money is fostering a culture of violence among youth, who exhibit a troubling disregard for human life.