Marseille Gangs Recruit Minors for Contract Killings Amidst Escalating Drug Violence

Drug gangs in Marseille are systematically recruiting children as young as 12 to carry out contract killings, exacerbating the city's already dire drug-related violence. These young recruits, often from impoverished backgrounds, are offered sums as low as €2,000 for assassinations, quickly finding themselves ensnared by overwhelming debt and threats against their families.

Investigations reveal that minors are being coerced into these roles, with gang leaders leveraging their youth to minimise legal repercussions, as sentencing for juveniles is less severe. This strategy not only protects senior gang members but also ensures a constant supply of expendable operatives.

Police sources indicate that the number of drug-related killings involving minors has surged, pointing to a disturbing normalisation of child exploitation within the criminal underworld. The reliance on children highlights the ruthless adaptability of these criminal organisations, effectively weaponising systemic socio-economic deprivation to further their illicit operations.