Mafia Camorra member caught in Corfu
CORFU. His arrest came through the collaboration of Corfu police and the Naples Carabinieri, under the coordination of a police officer from the Italian Embassy in Athens.
The arrest of the 60-year-old Italian mafioso, Vincenzo Laporta, in Corfu is considered to be a significant achievement by the police. He had been wanted for many years and was a fugitive with multiple sentences of over ten years, including charges related to money laundering.
He had been living in Corfu for at least the past ten years and was employed in various restaurants and pizzerias owned by fellow Italians. His arrest came through the collaboration of Corfu police and the Naples Carabinieri of, under the coordination of a police officer from the Italian Embassy in Athens.
He was caught by surprise early on Friday afternoon, 4th August, in Gouvia, where he lived with his partner. He had been working at an Italian restaurant in the Spilia area, in Corfu old town.
His love for his hometown football team, Napoli, and his participation in celebrations for winning the Italian championship ultimately gave him away. It seems that the Carabinieri, who had been pursuing him for over ten years, recognised him in an amateur video taken by a friend.
A big police operation was organised and executed on Friday, and he is currently being held at Corfu Police Headquarters before being taken to appear before the Corfu Prosecutor and extradition procedures for his return to Italy begin.
VASSILIS PANTAZOPOULOS
