Italy nabs top mafia boss hiding in bunker

ROME—Police on Wednesday captured one of Italy's most-wanted fugitive mobsters, arresting the last major boss of one of Italy's bloodiest mafia clans.

Michele Zagaria, on the run since 1995, was found in an underground bunker in Casapesenna, in his hometown province of Caserta in southern Italy, the headquarters of the Casalesi clan of the Neapolitan Camorra.

Anti-mafia prosecutor Piero Grasso said it was likely Zagaria had spent his years as a fugitive nearby since mob bosses “can only exercise their power if they're in an environment that protects them.”

“This was the nightmare: We knew he was there, but it was tough to find him, tough to get him out,” he told Sky TG24. “Finally we did.”

He noted that the Casalesi's well-known infiltration of local businesses and politics was similar to that of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra.

Investigators contend the Casalesi family runs a lucrative illegal business in transporting and disposing of toxic waste, a murky world explored in the book and film “Gomorrah.” Other moneymakers for the crime clan are rackets, extortion, drug trafficking, smuggling of illegal migrants and arms.

Police have seized about €2 billion ($2.7 billion) worth of assets allegedly illegally gained by its members over the last few years.

Last year, another top Casalesi lieutenant, Antonio Iovine, nicknamed “'o ninno'“ (dialect for “the baby”) for his youthful looks, was arrested in a major strike against the Casalesi. His arrest left Zagaria as the last big fugitive lieutenant of the charismatic convicted Camorra boss Francesco Schiavone.

Nicknamed Sandokan after the hero of a series of pirate adventure books in Italy, Schiavone is believed to still control the Casalesi clan from behind bars.

Zagaria is wanted for murder, extortion, kidnapping, mafia association and other crimes.

In one of their bloodiest strikes, Casalesi gunmen gunned down six African immigrants in one swoop as they chatted on a town street in what police said was a warning to other Africans to stay away from drug trafficking in the area.


Source : http://www.thestar.com/news/world/articl...erground-bunker

Just more evidence that when those guys on the other side go into hiding, they never stray very far from home. It's amazing if you think about it. You could never pull that off here in the States.

They knew he was there for a long time now. Anyway, these bosses very rarely leave their territory. It's a sign of weakness to do so. When they do, they lose control and respect of their family. Simple as that. The ones that can stay in hiding for so long..it's all about the men they surround themselves with.

This, obviously, right now is huge news for Italy and for the anti-mafia.

I think it was safer for him to stay on his territory where has influence over the local politicians,law enforcement and residents there where in other areas he may not.

this is just what roberto saviano said this evening.

Who was that other guy that had a somewhat of a bomb shelter here in the states that had a nice little pad, his lady got down thar and he most of the things anyone could have.

That bastard!! He must've read my post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLjuNhpERWc

Nice youtube, Ivy, thanks! It is amazing that these guys would rather hide in a cellar in their hometown then take some of their millions and skip to an island somewhere.

First, you would have to understand the mentality and importance of mafia in Italy. Yes they would rather hide in a cellar or bunker or catacomb then leave their family. They put honor and respect over money. To leave their family is weak and if you leave, you lose control of your family. It's happened.

Second, once they leave, they no longer have their insulation and protection around them. They'll be caught in no time.

Last, their blood family is around them, always. If anyone thinks these fugitives aren't in touch with their wives/children, their naive. So, they can't just skip off to some island somewhere lol.