Mafia boss involved in international cocaine trafficking

1 December 2015

An Italian from Maasmechelen was suspected of organising cocaine trafficking to Italy. Through requests for mutual legal assistance, the Federal Judicial Police of Limburg set up a close collaboration with the Italian police. After thorough investigations, the police were able to arrest one of the most wanted Italian Mafia bosses in a Brussels hospital. The ‘capo’ (captain) of the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta clan had been living in hiding for more than 11 years, in Meise among other places. He was wanted for importing 3 tons of cocaine in Italy, for which he was sentenced in absentia to 26 years’ imprisonment in 2004. Contacts with his accomplice in Maasmechelen led to his arrest. In Belgium, 8 co-offenders were caught. During the house searches, firearms, EUR 70,000 in cash, a heavy tablet press, several packets of cocaine and cutting products were found. More arrests and seizures took place abroad.