Félix Bingui, Alleged Leader of the Yoda Clan, Indicted and Placed in Isolation After Extradition

Félix Bingui, nicknamed “The Cat” and identified as the alleged leader of the Marseille-based drug trafficking clan Yoda, was indicted on Friday, January 24, by a magistrate in Marseille. He faces serious charges, including the importation of narcotics as part of an organized group, drug trafficking, money laundering, and failure to justify income.

Extradited from Morocco on Wednesday, January 22, Félix Bingui was transferred to France and placed in pre-trial detention in isolation, following a decision by a Judge of Freedoms and Detention (JLD). He will also soon face accusations of complicity in an attempted murder.

Reaction from His Lawyer

His lawyer, Philippe Ohayon, stated that Félix Bingui is “relieved to have been extradited” and that he “will soon answer the questions of the investigating judge.” The lawyer also criticized Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin for his public statements following Bingui’s arrival in France, arguing that they undermined the presumption of innocence.

A Controversial Figure

Nicknamed “The Cat,” Félix Bingui is a notorious figure in the northern districts of Marseille, where his clan, Yoda, has left its mark, as evidenced by graffiti seen in La Paternelle, an emblematic housing estate. This alleged gang leader is at the center of media and judicial attention, symbolizing the fight against drug trafficking networks.