Brasilia - A former kingpin of an Italian crime ring was arrested by Brazil’s Federal Police on Tuesday after 31 years on the run, local media reported.
Pasquale Scotti, a former leader of the Naples-based mafia-style crime ring called the Camorra, was caught in Brazil’s northeastern city of Recife, according to local daily O Globo.
Scotti was previously convicted of firearms offenses, extortion and involvement in 26 murders committed between 1980 and 1983.
However, he had managed to evade police since he escaped from hospital in 1984, where he was treated after a shoot-out with police.
He was given a life sentence for his crimes in his absence and Italy issued a warrant for his arrest in 1991.
Many reports, based on evidence given by a former Camorra gang member, said that Scotti had died soon after his escape.
The International Criminal Police Organisation or Interpol was able to identify the former crime lord through comparing digital fingerprints, which proved he had created a false identity in Brazil with the name Francisco de Castro Visconti, said O Globo.
The Italian had established himself as a businessman in the Latin American country with fake identification.
He even registered to vote in Recife, the daily said.
Scotti, 56, has two children with a Brazilian woman and was caught while he was driving them to school.
According to O Globo, the Italian has been living in Brazil for 29 years.
Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF) carried out the arrest as part of a joint operation between Naples’ police officers, Italian anti-mafia officers, Brazilian Police and the Interpol.
The Italian authorities may soon begin the extradition process.
Xinhua