Spanish Police Arrest 'Ndrangheta Boss "Don Mico" in Soria

According to Spanish media reports, Paviglianiti is one of Italy's most wanted criminals and is 65 years old. The reports state that he played a significant role in the so-called Second 'Ndrangheta War in the 1980s and early 1990s — a bloody power struggle between rival clans in Calabria in which around 700 people were killed.

Background and Previous Arrests

Paviglianiti was first arrested in 1996 as part of an international anti-mafia operation. In 1999, he was extradited to Italy, where he served a prison sentence of around 20 years. He was released early after a miscalculation of his remaining sentence. In 2021, he was arrested again in Madrid but was freed again because his prison terms had expired.

The Chief Prosecutor's Office of Reggio Calabria announced that proceedings for his extradition to Italy would be initiated in the coming days: "In the coming days, the proceedings for his extradition to Italy, where he must serve the prison sentence imposed against him, will be initiated," the authority's statement said.

Significance of the 'Ndrangheta

According to a statement by Spain's national police, the 'Ndrangheta is considered one of the most powerful and dangerous mafia organizations in the world. The Italian judiciary now wants to ensure that the arrested man actually serves his full prison sentence in Italy.

The newspapers "El País" and "El Mundo" had previously reported on the arrest, citing security sources. Further details about the circumstances of the operation and possible helpers of the man in Spain were not initially known. The Guardia Civil was involved in the investigation.

Extradition to Italy

Italian authorities had been searching for Paviglianiti since the European arrest warrant was issued in July 2022. With his arrest in Spain, extradition to Italy now appears within reach. According to the prosecutor's office, the exact date of the transfer has not yet been set.