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 factors are contributing to the rise in youth involvement in drug trafficking in Marseille?
**Short Interview with Expert on Drug Trafficking in Marseille**
**Interviewer:** Today, we are joined by Dr. Marie Fontaine, a criminologist specializing in urban crime and gang dynamics. Dr. Fontaine, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Fontaine:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** The recent case involving the two teenagers, Younes and Kevin, who were forced into drug dealing and managed to slip out an SOS message to clients, highlights a disturbing trend in Marseille. Can you explain what you see as the roots of this situation?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Unfortunately, the problem of youth being coerced into drug trafficking is not new, but it has worsened in Marseille, particularly in areas like Frais-Vallon. Economic deprivation, lack of opportunities, and the allure of easy money from drug sales make vulnerable young people easy targets for criminal networks. These gangs not only exploit them but often use extreme violence to maintain control.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned exploitation and violence. The case involves allegations of kidnapping and serious abuse. How prevalent are these practices in the drug trade today, especially in Marseille?
**Dr. Fontaine:** Very prevalent. The violence associated with the drug trade has escalated significantly in recent years, with gangs often resorting to brutality to instill fear in both the community and their own members. In this case, the reported violence and even sexual assault against the teenagers underscore the extreme risks they face. It’s alarming that these young individuals felt desperate enough to send out a message pleading for help.
**Interviewer:** The authorities have been attempting to combat the drug trade in Marseille by arresting dealers and reducing deal spots. Do you think these measures are effective?
**Dr. Fontaine:** While it’s a step in the right direction—arrests have increased and there’s been a significant reduction in visible dealing spots—these measures alone won’t dismantle the networks. The underlying social issues need to be addressed as well. Community engagement, providing educational and economic opportunities, and preventive programs are crucial to keep young people away from gangs.
**Interviewer:** As the trial for the six accused begins today, what changes do you hope to see in terms of legal and community responses?
**Dr. Fontaine:** I hope this trial underscores the need for harsher penalties for exploiting minors and raises awareness about the systemic issues driving young people into these situations. Additionally, I would like to see greater focus on rehabilitation and support for victims rather than solely punitive measures. It’s crucial to create an environment where young people feel safe to report such abuses and seek help.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Fontaine, for your insights on this troubling and urgent issue.
**Dr. Fontaine:** Thank you for bringing attention to it.
—
This format captures an engaging and informative discussion about the issue of drug trafficking and youth exploitation in Marseille, while reflecting on the broader social and legal implications of the current situation.
