Archive photo of Abdelmadjid Tebboune as France and Algeria revive judicial cooperation amid concerns over the DZ Mafia network. France and Algeria moved Monday to restore judicial cooperation after nearly two years of diplomatic tensions, with the Marseille-based DZ Mafia becoming one of the central topics during French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Algiers.
The renewed talks came after a report by France Info quoting a French Justice Ministry source describing Algeria as “one of the last places where narcotraffickers can take refuge”, as relations between Paris and Algiers deteriorated and judicial cooperation stalled.
French investigators believe several senior figures tied to the DZ Mafia may have used Algeria as a rear base while French authorities intensified crackdowns at home.
Cooperation Resumes
The issue gained urgency after “Operation Octopus” in March 2026, during which French police arrested 42 alleged DZ Mafia members. French prosecutors later pursued cases against several men suspected of leading the organization.
Investigators suspect that Algeria may shelter financial assets linked to drug trafficking as well as several alleged members of the network, including figures identified by the aliases “Tic” and “Mimo”.
Speaking in Algiers on Monday, Gérald Darmanin confirmed that organized crime and the DZ Mafia were among the main subjects discussed with Algerian officials and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
According to AFP, Darmanin said France and Algeria had resumed operational judicial cooperation after “two years of total interruption”.
“We share with Algeria the difficulty of fighting mafias”, the French minister said, adding that both countries had exchanged “very valuable information” and requested extraditions.
The visit marked another sign of easing tensions between the two countries after a diplomatic crisis triggered in 2024 by France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Moroccan Sahara.
Network Still Active
French authorities consider the DZ Mafia one of the country’s most violent criminal organizations, particularly active in Marseille’s northern districts.
Recent police operations and heavier patrols have reportedly reduced visible drug trafficking activity in some neighborhoods. But investigators fear the network may already be adapting.
France Info reported that a group calling itself “DZ-NG”, short for “Nouvelle Génération”, recently posted recruitment-style videos online from Marseille’s Consolat district.
Analysts quoted by French media said extraditing suspects from Algeria could remain difficult because some hold dual nationality and Algeria generally does not extradite its citizens.
Darmanin said Algerian judicial officials had been invited to Paris in early June to continue discussions on organized crime cooperation, extraditions and asset seizures linked to corruption and trafficking investigations.
- Sources: France Info, AFP (May 18, 2026)