Imperiale was the “protagonist” of a serious road accident while driving a Ferrari in which one man died, the claim was made in new documents filed by Italian prosecutors as part of their case against drug trafficker Imperiale.

According to prosecutors, one of Imperiale's associates, who was behind the wheel of a Lamborghini, was also involved in the fatal crash in Spain. But according to one informer who is co-operating with Italian authorities, Imperiale abandoned his Ferrari following the crash - despite the fact it was worth a six-figure sum.

"He did not show disappointment that the prestigious cars had been destroyed, as he had a lot of money,” the informer has claimed.

The details are included in statements given to Italy’s Direzione Investigativa Antimafia ('Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate'), also known as DIA, from numerous “collaborators of justice”.