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 key factors driving the rise of youth exploitation in drug trafficking within Marseille’s Frais-Vallon district?
**Interview: The Dark Side of Drug Trafficking in Marseille**
**Host:** Welcome to our program. Today, we are discussing the alarming rise in drug-related violence and the disturbing reports of youth exploitation in Marseille’s Frais-Vallon district. Joining us is Dr. Isabelle Martin, a criminologist specializing in youth crime and drug trafficking. Thank you for being here, Dr. Martin.
**Dr. Martin:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Recently, two young teenagers were reported to have been forced into drug dealing and even managed to send an SOS note during transactions. How does this reflect the current state of drug gangs in Marseille?
**Dr. Martin:** This situation is quite reflective of the extreme measures some gangs are taking to maintain control. The forced recruitment of minors is a desperate act that shows how deeply entrenched these criminal networks have become. The fact that these teenagers felt they could only reach out for help through a drug transaction illustrates the pervasive fear and manipulation within these environments.
**Host:** It’s shocking to think about children as young as 15 being caught in such horrific circumstances. What can you tell us about the legal implications these six young people face in court?
**Dr. Martin:** The charges they face are severe. Not only are they being tried for kidnapping and violence, but some are also facing allegations of rape. This indicates a troubling trend where violence against vulnerable individuals and double victimization occurs. It emphasizes the urgency of addressing how gangs exploit minors and the need for legal systems to respond effectively to such crimes.
**Host:** Considering the ongoing battles between rival gangs and the reported increase in drug-related crime in Marseille, what measures do you think local authorities should consider to combat this issue?
**Dr. Martin:** Authorities need to adopt a multifaceted approach. Increasing police presence and cracking down on drug distribution networks is essential, as we’ve seen some progress in seizing drugs and arresting dealers. However, social programs aimed at at-risk youth could be equally important. We must create safe spaces for young people and provide them with alternatives to joining gangs, including education and job opportunities.
**Host:** That sounds like a vital strategy. As we look at the future of Marseille’s youth, what is your hope for addressing the root causes of this problem?
**Dr. Martin:** I hope we can foster community resilience against these gangs. It requires collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and the community. We need to ensure that families and young people have access to the resources and support they need to avoid falling into the cycle of crime. Public awareness campaigns could also play a powerful role in preventing exploitation.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Martin, for shedding light on this critical issue. It’s clear that the challenges are significant, but with the right approach, we can hope for positive change in Marseille.
**Dr. Martin:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we keep this conversation going.
**Host:** Absolutely. Thank you to our audience for tuning in today. Let’s continue to advocate for safer communities and better futures for our youth.
