Félix Bingui, suspected leader of the 'Yoda' drug trafficking gang in Marseille, was extradited to France on January 21, 2025, after being arrested in Casablanca, Morocco, in March 2024.

Known by the alias 'Le Chat', Bingui was one of France's most wanted drug traffickers before his capture.

His criminal history includes burglaries before he transitioned to drug trafficking, frequently traveling between Marseille and Morocco until a gang war forced him to remain in Morocco.

Bingui faces multiple serious charges, including organized drug trafficking, money laundering, and forming a criminal association, as outlined in an arrest warrant from a Marseille investigating judge.

He consented to his extradition during a hearing at the Rabat Court of Cassation in April 2024, emphasizing the need for a fair judicial process in France.

The ongoing drug-related violence in Marseille has raised concerns, prompting lawmakers to debate a new bill aimed at enhancing measures against drug trafficking.

The violent turf war between Bingui's Yoda gang and the rival DZ Mafia has resulted in significant fatalities, with many of the 50 deaths linked to drug trafficking and territorial disputes.

Despite a decrease in drug trafficking deaths in Marseille from 2023 to 2024, officials remain vigilant due to the persistent gang conflicts and the threat of 'narcoterrorism'.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin hailed the extradition as a 'victory against narcobanditism' and expressed gratitude towards Moroccan authorities for their cooperation.

Authorities have noted a troubling link between juvenile delinquency and drug trafficking in Marseille, with around 480 teenagers arrested in the past year.

Bingui's extradition marks the end of his long evasion from French authorities, as he had sought refuge in the Maghreb region during the escalating gang violence.