Morocco extradites one of France’s most wanted alleged drug lords

Félix “the Cat” Bingui, one of France’s most wanted alleged drug lords, has been extradited from Morocco, according to the Guardian. He will appear in a Marseille court on charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and undeclared income. Bingui, 34, was arrested in Casablanca last March following a months-long investigation by France’s Anti-Drug Office.

Bingui is suspected of leading the Yoda clan, a Marseille-based gang linked to 35 of 49 drug-related murders in the city in 2023. The violence, including a feud with the DZ Mafia, escalated after a nightclub altercation and the assassination of Bingui’s brother-in-law in Spain.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin called the extradition a “victory against narco-crime.” President Macron has intensified efforts to combat drug-related violence, deploying 4,000 officers in Marseille. Authorities reported a 50% drop in drug-related deaths in 2024, though drug violence remains a significant challenge for law enforcement.