30 Jan 2016

Italy mafia bosses found in bunker

11:48 am on 30 January 2016

Police in the far south of Italy have arrested two top fugitives - 'Ndrangheta mafia bosses who were hiding in a camouflaged bunker.

A picture released by the Italian police showing arms found during the anti-mafia operation.

A picture released by the Italian police showing arms found during the anti-mafia operation. Photo: AFP / Italian police

Giuseppe Ferraro, 47, had been on the run since 1998, and Giuseppe Crea, 37, since 2006. Vegetation concealed their mountain hideout in Reggio Calabria.

Various weapons were seized in the small bunker, which also had cooking equipment and electricity.

The convicted pair have been linked to gangland murders and other crimes.

The police raid took place near the town of Maropati.

The 'Ndrangheta controls much of the world's cocaine trade. Last year Italian police seized several billion euros' worth of 'Ndrangheta assets.

The pair were "living like animals... cut off from society", according to prosecutor Federico Cafiero De Raho, quoted by the AFP news agency. But they were still controlling other gang members from the bunker, he said.

-BBC

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