[Naples] Italian police have arrested Pasquale Russo, one of the country’s most wanted Camorra bosses, a day after detaining Salvatore Russo, his brother. The arrest delivers a heavy blow to one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the region surrounding Naples.

Russo, 62, had been on the run from authorities since 1993. Much like one of the characters in Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah, Russo was arrested at dawn yesterday, while hiding out in a remote farmhouse near Sperone, some 80 kilometres north of Naples.

Pasquale Russo has been on the top ten list of the most wanted list for more than 16 years, with charges ranging from racketeering to murder. Authorities have confirmed that during the time of his arrest, he was in the company of his other brother, Carmine Russo. Carmine Russo has been identified as another individual on the most wanted lists.

Public Prosecutor Giovandomenico Lepore credits the arrest to the adoption of state-of-the-art electronic surveillance methods. A measure which has become instrumental in tracking down the well-outfitted criminals.

Also in the farmhouse, investigators conficasted disguises, weapons, counter-surveillance electronics and a copy of the book “Potere Camorrista” by award-winning author/journalist Gigi Di Fiore.

Antimafia organizations at local, state and government levels, now exist throughout all affected areas of Italy. Citizens are being asked to confidentially report criminal and unusual activities so that authorities can investigate and prosecute where needed. Since the release of Roberto Saviano’s book Gomorrah many antimafia protests and demonstrations have taken place in and outside of Naples. Arrests of crime figures and confiscation of crime family assets has more than quadrupled as a direct result.

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by Paul McGregor