Italy: Mafia protection boss is caught

One of Italy’s most dangerous Mafia bosses has been caught hiding in Sicily.

Enrico Scalavino, known as the “king of extortion fees” for allegedly running a vast illegal protection racket, was arrested by carabinieri in the island’s capital Palermo.

He was on the list of Italy’s 100 most dangerous fugitives.

Scalavino belonged to the “Corso Calatafimi” family and had been on the run since May, accused of mafia association, drug running and an extortion racket that covered a vast area of Palermo.

Interior Minister Giuliano Amato said the arrest showed Italy was cracking down on the illegal protection racket, which has long been one of the Mafia’s most lucrative activities.

Last month, the Sicilian branch of Italy’s business association Cofindustria vowed to expel industrialists who paid the “pizzo” extortion fee to the Mafia.

Thousands of merchants are forced to pay the pizzo, and those who refuse often end up losing their business.