Alès Mayor Christophe Rivenx Threatened with Bullets by DZ Mafia

An envelope containing two 9 mm bullets and a handwritten note signed by the criminal group “DZ Mafia” was discovered at the home of Christophe Rivenx, mayor of Alès in France’s Gard department. The mayor’s wife found the envelope in the mailbox and threatening graffiti was also found on the property’s walls.

French prosecutors opened an investigation for death threats and intimidation, assigning the case to the Alès police precinct and the department’s unit for organized crime. Mayor Rivenx, a member of Les Républicains, said he would not be intimidated and highlighted that the threats appear linked to his anti‑drug‑trafficking actions. In response, the interior minister ordered the deployment of CRS units to provide additional security for the mayor and increase police presence in the town.

The incident follows a surge in DZ Mafia activity in the Gard region since summer 2025, including a recent shooting death of an 18‑year‑old resident. Political figures from the region have expressed solidarity with the mayor.