Trial Begins for Alleged Exploitation of Moroccan Child Migrants in Paris

The latter, often having come with the hope of a better life in Paris, find themselves trapped in a criminal network in the Trocadéro, drugged and forced to steal from tourists.

The case began between 2021 and 2022, where more than a fifteen minors, some as young as 9 years old, are attracted by online videos extolling an idyllic Paris, reports Actu Paris. They then undertake a risky journey from Morocco, to finally arrive at the Trocadéro. Without bearings and seduced by adults speaking their language, as they are of Algerian origin, they quickly fall under their control.

To maintain their control, these criminals administer two drugs, Lyrica and Rivotril, to the minors, which cause addiction and mental dissociation. The young people, having become polytoxicomaniac, are forced to commit thefts in the gardens of the Trocadéro, targeting tourists, to obtain their daily dose.

The management of these minors is methodical, with a division of the theft zones and close surveillance by the adults. In case of non-compliance, the adolescents suffer physical violence, even attempted sexual abuse. The loot is recovered in exchange for new doses of drugs.

The association Hors la Rue, alarmed by the condition of these young people, played a key role in triggering the investigation in March 2022. The investigations led to the identification of six men of Algerian nationality and their arrest in June 2022. Their trial, on serious charges ranging from drug possession to human trafficking, is scheduled until December 20.