Nice, France, is known for its luxury and Mediterranean beauty. But just outside the city, there’s a very different story. Les Moulins, a neighborhood that once housed settlers returning from Algeria in the 1960s, is now under the control of drug dealers. This once quiet area has become one of the largest drug hubs on the French Riviera.
Les Moulins: A Neighborhood Dominated by Drugs
In 2023, journalist Siam Spencer moved to Les Moulins, unaware of the crime around her. She soon found out that the neighborhood is controlled by drug traffickers. Dealers outside her window were handling up to €20,000 daily. In her book La Laverie (The Laundrette), named after a building once used for drug deals, Spencer shares her experience.
Local activist Nourrédine Debbari, who grew up in the area, says there are five main drug-selling points in Les Moulins. These points are controlled by rival gangs. Together, they make about €1.5 million per month from selling drugs. “Everyone here lives with drug trafficking—there’s no choice,” says Debbari.
Violence in Les Moulins: A Growing Problem
Violence is common in Les Moulins. Shootings and murders happen every day. In July 2023, a fire killed seven people, including three children. The fire was a revenge attack against the jailed father, who had ties to the drug trade.
Despite police efforts, crime continues to rise. In the past year, drug cartels have become more powerful. Recently, France’s Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, warned that the country could become a “narco-state,” like Mexico, where drug cartels control large areas of the country.
Mohamed Amra, a notorious drug boss, escaped police custody in 2022. He was known as “The Fly.” He is just one example of the power these cartels hold. Last year, authorities seized 350 kilograms of cocaine, a record amount. However, this is only a small fraction of the drugs that flow through the French Riviera each year. Drugs are smuggled into France from countries like Italy, Spain, and Morocco. They enter through Marseille and spread to cities like Nice and Toulon.
Minors Caught in the Drug Trade
One troubling issue in Les Moulins is the recruitment of young people by drug cartels. These cartels often use minors for street-level drug dealing. “They use illegal migrant children,” says police representative Rudy Manna. “These children are disposable. They are often forced into violence.”
Many young people in Les Moulins see drug dealing as their only way out of poverty. “Imagine living in Nice, just 15 minutes from the luxury hotels, while your family struggles to survive,” says Spencer. For them, drugs may seem like the only escape.
However, there are those in the community who are fighting to change things for the next generation.
Efforts to Create Change in Les Moulins
Abdel Akim Madi, 24, grew up in Les Moulins. He once dreamed of becoming a comedian. Now, he leads a program called Partage Ton Talent to help young people find alternatives to the drug trade. Through sports, theater, and job training, Madi is giving young people in the area hope. So far, his program has helped over 600 youth in Les Moulins.
Robert Songhor, another local activist, works with the Association Adam to help children break free from crime. One of his initiatives is to take children on trips to the mountains. “We want them to see they are not just ‘kids from the estate’—they are citizens of Nice,” Songhor says.
These efforts are making a difference, but there is still a long way to go. Young people need more opportunities to escape the grip of the drug trade. The work of these activists is helping to create hope, but much more is needed to break the cycle of crime and violence.
The Future of Les Moulins: A Community at a Crossroads
Les Moulins faces a tough battle. The drug trade continues to control much of the area, and the violence shows no signs of slowing down. But there are signs of hope. The work of activists like Madi and Songhor is helping to show young people there is a different way. There is still a chance for Les Moulins to change.
However, France must take action to stop the flow of drugs into the country. The government must also support programs that offer young people a way out of the drug trade. If they don’t, the cycle of violence and crime will continue to grow in the region. This issue extends beyond France, as the drug trade affects the stability of Europe as a whole.
For more information about the situation in Les Moulins and the fight against drug cartels in France, visit Euro News 24.