Former mafia boss murdered on Grenoble motorway

Former French mafia boss Jean-Pierre Maldera was shot and killed on the A41 motorway near Grenoble on March 12, 2025. After being ambushed, he was struck by a car that made a U-turn to hit him. Authorities are investigating the incident as an organized murder. Maldera, known as 'the godfather,' was a prominent figure in the Franco-Italian mafia during the 1980s. His death highlights a surge in cartel violence in France, with drug-related murders increasing and young hitmen being recruited online. The French government is facing pressure to address the escalating drug violence, which has spread beyond traditional hotspots like Marseille to cities such as Grenoble and Dijon. Recent high-profile arrests have underscored the severity of the situation.