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Niko Pandetta

Niko Pandetta, Italian Mafia Boss, Arrested in Spain After 15 Years on the Run

The Once Notorious Sicilian Fugitive is Now in Custody

Pandetta was apprehended in the southern Spanish city of Malaga and is now awaiting extradition to Italy.

Niko Pandetta, a high-ranking Sicilian Mafia boss, who escaped from an Italian prison in 2007, was captured in the southern Spanish city of Malaga on 11th March 2023. He was one of the most wanted fugitives in Italy and had been on the run for 15 years.

Pandetta was arrested by Spanish police in a joint operation with the Italian police. He had been living under a false identity in Malaga and is now awaiting extradition to Italy, where he will face charges of murder, drug trafficking, and mafia association.

Pandetta was a key figure in the powerful Sicilian Mafia clan, known as the Santapaola-Ercolano clan. He was sentenced to life in prison in absentia for his role in the murder of two rival mobsters in 1999.

Pandetta's arrest is a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in Italy and Spain. It is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and bring fugitives to justice.

The Italian authorities have expressed their gratitude to the Spanish police for their assistance in apprehending Pandetta. They have also vowed to continue working together to dismantle organized crime networks and bring those responsible for serious crimes to justice.

Pandetta's arrest is a reminder of the long reach of the Italian Mafia. Despite efforts to crack down on organized crime, the Mafia continues to operate in Italy and other countries around the world.

The arrest of Pandetta is a step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done to combat the Mafia's influence in Italy and beyond.