Former Mafia Figure Killed in Drive-By Shooting Near Grenoble

Jean-Pierre Maldera, 71, was targeted while driving, marking a significant event in the region's criminal history.

Jean-Pierre Maldera, a 71-year-old ex-mafia boss, was shot dead on Wednesday morning while driving on the A41 motorway near Grenoble, France. Known as a "godfather" of the local mafia during the 1980s, Maldera was reportedly chased by assailants before being shot, with three to four gunmen using what appeared to be military-grade weaponry, such as a Kalashnikov rifle. Following the attack, the perpetrators fled the scene in a stolen Renault Megane, which was later discovered abandoned and burnt in Grenoble.

His death marks a grim reminder of the violent mafia history in the region, especially as it comes ten years after the mysterious disappearance of his younger brother, Robert Maldera, also a notable figure in organized crime during the same era. Jean-Pierre Maldera had previously faced legal troubles, being convicted alongside his brother in 2004 for various organized crime activities, but was released shortly after due to a procedural error. The authorities had not recorded further incidents involving him until this tragic event.

While the current state of Maldera’s involvement in criminal activities remains unclear, sources suggest that he was considered the mastermind behind their criminal operations, with Robert serving as the enforcer. This incident has ignited speculations about ongoing mafia activities in the area, raising security concerns among the local community.