ROME, Italy (AP) — Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised law enforcement officials Saturday evening following the capture of a suspected organized crime leader who had been among the country’s most sought-after fugitives.
Police announced they had taken Roberto Mazzarella, 48, into custody during Friday’s operation at a luxury residence along the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Investigators say he had allegedly secured the upscale property using fraudulent identification documents.
Speaking from her current diplomatic trip through Gulf nations, Meloni characterized Mazzarella’s capture as “an important blow against the Camorra,” the infamous criminal syndicate that has its roots in Naples.
“This sends a clear message that the state will not back down,” Meloni stated in a social media message.
Mazzarella faces charges related to a deadly 2000 shooting incident that occurred at a delicatessen in downtown Naples.
