When you think of Nice, you might picture sparkling waters, sunlit promenades, or elegant cafes. But behind the postcard-perfect facade lies another story, a grim one defined by an escalating drug war. The French Riviera, long known for its glamour, has increasingly become a hub for violent drug cartels. Experts warn that these hidden battles threaten the very soul of this Mediterranean haven.

The Hidden Reality of Drug Gangs in Nice

While tourists frolic on Nice’s famous beaches, just a short distance away lies Les Moulins, an estate colonised by rival drug gangs. Originally built in the 1960s to house returnees from Algeria, this sprawling estate of 12,000 residents has become ground zero for drug violence. It’s here that dealers make an astonishing €1.5 million every month, according to local activists.

For residents of Les Moulins, life is a delicate dance between survival and fear. Siam Spencer, who lived there for eight months in 2023, recalls her experience vividly. “I thought it was just a stereotype. Instead, gunshots became part of my everyday life,” she explained. Spencer turned her harrowing experience into a book, La Laverie, sharing the grim realities that often go unnoticed outside these estates.

Drug Violence in the Heart of the Riviera

As elite drug cartels move beyond Marseille to southern towns like Nice, the threats have only intensified. Cocaine shipments once reserved for wealthy executives now find their way into middle-class neighbourhoods. Arrests, like that of Mohamed Amra (known as “The Fly”), shed light on the sophisticated networks operating in plain sight.

Armed with guns smuggled in from Marseille, Nice’s cartels mimic the brutal tactics of South American gangs. Recent police operations have seized record quantities of drugs and weapons, yet the flow continues unabated.

Life Amid the Nice Drug War

For the vulnerable youth of Les Moulins, the lure of quick money offered by these cartels often leads to a dangerous cycle. Gang recruiters promise between €80 and €100 a day, appealing especially to disenfranchised or migrant teens. “They don’t see a future elsewhere,” shared Abdelhakim Madi, a local charity founder. “The temptations are just too great.”

Activists like Madi and organisations such as Partage Ton Talent are fighting to offer alternatives. They run sports, drama classes, and empowerment programmes to show these teens there’s more to life than the estate. One participant even remarked, “For the first time, I felt like I belonged to Nice, not just Les Moulins.”

Police Interventions and Lingering Challenges

The French government has long recognised Les Moulins as a “priority security zone.” Increased police patrols, harsher sentences, and national task forces have aimed to curb escalating violence. Yet the powerful cartels adapt, creating decentralised networks that are harder to dismantle.

The French interior minister recently warned that France risks becoming a “Mexicanised narco-state,” acknowledging the disturbing parallels between local drug gang operations and the cartels that plague Latin America.

Steps Towards Hope and Rehabilitation

Despite the bleak headlines, hope persists. Initiatives such as beach day trips and youth employment programmes bring some light to the lives of Les Moulins residents. These projects, led by passionate local activists, aim to break the cycle of violence.

For all its natural beauty and high society allure, Nice cannot afford to ignore the shadow cast by the drug violence creeping into its foundations. The Riviera must remind itself that its strength lies not just in picturesque beaches or luxury yachts but in ensuring all its citizens feel safe, valued, and included.

Source: The Guardian