A Mafia boss has been arrested in London after nearly two decades on the run.
Domenico Rancadore, who is wanted by the Italian authorities, was held by the Metropolitan Police yesterday, sources said.
He was sentenced to seven years in his absence for links to the Mafia group Cosa Nostra, and is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today.
According to Italian media, Rancadore was running a travel agency while living in the capital and had married an English woman. It is understood that he ran Trabia, near Palermo in Sicily, for the Mafia.
Scotland Yard confirmed that Mr Rancadore, 64, was arrested at 7pm yesterday by the force's extradition unit.
A spokesman said: "Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service extradition unit arrested Domenico Rancadore on a European arrest warrant alleging that he has an outstanding sentence of seven years imprisonment to serve for participation in Mafia association between December 17 1987 and April 13 1995 in Palermo, Italy.
“He was taken into police custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today.”
A statement from the Italian interior ministry said: “Accused of crimes of mafia-style association, extortion and other serious offences and sought since 1994, multiple previous offender Rancadore Domenico, 64, from Parlermo, was arrested yesterday in London by British police.
“The operation was made possible thanks to the investigative data provided by the Central Operations Service and the Mobile Squad, allowing British investigators, with the help of the service for International Police Cooperation, to locate where the fugitive was hiding.
“Rancadore ran a travel agency in the British capital and led a comfortable life. Several cooperating witnesses have referred to him as a leading member of the Palermo Mafia ‘family’, with a senior managerial role in the Caccamo ‘commandment’. In particular, in the 1990s, he played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo.
"The operation is the result of the important relationship of international police cooperation ensured through Interpol. "
PA