Anti-mafia police yesterday arrested Antonio Iovine, one of the most powerful leaders of the Camorra organized crime group, as he was trying to leap from a balcony to get away, Italian officials said.
Iovine, believed to be the boss of the murderous Casalesi clan, was found hiding in a wall cavity in a small villa in Casal di Principe — the gang’s home town in a farming area north of Naples, a police spokesman said.
The 46-year-old had been on Italy’s most wanted list for years.
“Today is a great day for the fight against the mafia,” Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said after the arrest.
Iovine tried to escape by jumping from a balcony after being found but was captured before he managed to get away, the spokesman said.
An unshaven Iovine was later seen smiling as he was escorted by officers out of Naples police station.
“I’m delighted. It’s a big success. A big blow” for the Camorra, Naples police chief Santi Giuffre said. “We’ve been preparing this for a while.”
Iovine was sentenced to life in prison in absentia earlier this year along with 15 other Camorra bosses, one of whom is still on the run. They were found guilty on multiple counts including murder and extortion.
Meanwhile, an Italian businessman who campaigned against the mafia has put his organs up for sale in a desperate bid to raise cash after gangsters destroyed his property and scared off clients.
Ignazio Cutro’, who cofounded the anti-mafia association Libere Terre (Free Lands), said that he has been ruined by the mafia and that the authorities have abandoned him to his fate, refusing all requests for help.
“I’m selling my organs and body parts to prevent my business from going under and to try to keep a roof over our heads,” said the 44-year-old construction industry entrepreneur from Agrigento in southern Italy.
Cutro’ said that for the past 11 years he has been the victim of an organized crime gang that demanded protection money and, when he refused to pay, systematically targeted his home and work.
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