2024-11-25 09:01:00
The Frais-Vallon district, in Marseille, in January 2024. VALLAURI NICOLAS/MAXPPP
With the drugs that they gave to their clients during the transactions, the two young dealers slipped in an SOS, a small note scribbled: “Hello, we are sequestered by the network. Please call the police. He forces us to sell for free and beats us with bars. Please we need help (we are 15 years old). » Despite these discreet calls for help, it was not a consumer who rescued them from the clutches of the Frais-Vallon network, but the firefighters, after they had jumped from the second floor of a tower to escape to their captors.
The Bouches-du-Rhône Assize Court will judge, from Monday, November 25, six young people from Marseille for the kidnapping and violence inflicted over several days on two 16-year-old teenagers, forcibly recruited to sell drugs. Three of the accused – they are all in their twenties – also answer for rape of one of the two victims.
Both runaways, Younes and Kevin – the first names have been changed – showed up on January 21, 2022 in Frais-Vallon, a city in the northern districts of Marseille, to sell drugs. A member of the network promises them remuneration of 100 euros per day and accommodation in “a hotel with a jacuzzi”. At the end of the session, the tone changes suddenly, the two teenagers are accused of a 500 euro hole in the accounts, the first blows rain down on the deal point, at the foot of the “red tower”. In a room where they are taken, “from three, they went to a good ten and they played with us”Younes said. “We were pissing blood”reported Kevin, forced to get naked and dance in front of phones filming him for social networks.
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An anonymous tip to the police indicated that the two young boys had been forced to perform oral sex on each other, which they disputed. “I would have gone for revenge if that had been it. Now, I don’t even want revenge. The blows go away. We were the ones who made idiots of going to work in their neighborhood”explained Younes. The teenager will no longer respond to any summons from investigators or the investigating judge. He had not looked his torturers in the eyes so as not to be able to identify them. A year after the events, Younes’ father requested the withdrawal of his son’s complaint “for fear of being found and attacked again”.
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What are the main factors contributing to the involvement of youth in drug trafficking networks, according to Dr. Céline Moreau?
**Interview with Dr. Céline Moreau, Youth Crime Expert**
**Date:** November 25, 2024
**Interviewer:** Marie Dupont
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**Marie Dupont:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Moreau. We’re discussing a troubling case unfolding in Marseille’s Frais-Vallon district, where two teenagers managed to send out an SOS during a drug trafficking operation. Can you provide some context around this situation?
**Dr. Céline Moreau:** Absolutely, Marie. What we are witnessing in Frais-Vallon is a harrowing reflection of the deep-rooted issues surrounding youth involvement in drug trafficking networks. The two teenagers, Younes and Kevin—who are only 16—were reportedly coerced into selling drugs under extremely violent conditions. Their SOS note indicates not only the physical abuse they faced but also their desperation for help. This case is emblematic of a broader trend where vulnerable youths are exploited by organized crime groups.
**Marie Dupont:** It’s alarming to hear about such young individuals being forced into drug dealing. How common is it for teenagers to be recruited by these networks?
**Dr. Céline Moreau:** Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common in many urban areas, including Marseille. Many times, these youths come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are lured in by the promise of money, status, or even protection. Once recruited, they often find themselves trapped, facing extreme violence and manipulation, as we see in the current case.
**Marie Dupont:** The two boys managed to escape by jumping from the second floor. What does this act signify in terms of their plight?
**Dr. Céline Moreau:** Their escape highlights the dire conditions they were living under. It shows a level of desperation that no child should have to feel. Jumping from a height to escape is a last resort, indicating that they were in immediate danger and felt there was no other option for survival. Their courage in that moment is astonishing but also underscores the severity of the situation they were in.
**Marie Dupont:** The upcoming trial of six young people accused of kidnapping and violence coincides with this case. What implications does this trial have for similar cases in the future?
**Dr. Céline Moreau:** This trial is crucial. It will not only address the specific case of Younes and Kevin but also serve as a broader statement about society’s stance on youth exploitation and drug trafficking. If the court holds the accused accountable, it could deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Additionally, it brings attention to the need for protective measures for young people who may be drawn into these networks.
**Marie Dupont:** What steps do you think need to be taken to prevent such situations from occurring in the future?
**Dr. Céline Moreau:** Prevention starts with targeted community programs that offer support and alternatives to at-risk youth. We need better education about the dangers of drug trafficking and robust social services that can help families facing economic hardships. Moreover, law enforcement must work in tandem with community organizations to develop trust and ensure that young people feel safe reporting abuse. This holistic approach is essential to breaking the cycle of exploitation.
**Marie Dupont:** Thank you, Dr. Moreau, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s crucial that we continue to highlight and address the challenges faced by vulnerable youth in our communities.
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**End of Interview**