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Wanted mafia boss Domenico Rancadore arrested in London Wanted mafia boss Domenico Rancadore arrested in London
(35 minutes later)
A mafia boss has been arrested in London after nearly two decades on the run, police have said. A mafia boss wanted in Italy has been arrested in London but could be released because of "significant deficiencies" with his arrest warrant.
Domenico Rancadore, 64, was wanted by Italian authorities over his links with Cosa Nostra. Domenico Rancadore, 64, was wanted over his links with Cosa Nostra.
He was the head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, according to Italian police. He was the head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking, Italian police said.
He was sentenced in his absence to seven years in prison for crimes in Italy between 1987 and 1995. But the judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court said there were concerns over the warrant's validity. He will be in court again on Friday.
'Nicest people' The Metropolitan Police arrested Mr Rancadore on Wednesday evening at a residential address in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, under a European Arrest Warrant issued in January 2012.
The Met Police arrested him on Wednesday evening at at a residential address in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, under a European Arrest Warrant which was issued in January 2012. But in court on Thursday afternoon District Judge Quentin Purdy said: "The warrant may be such it has to be discharged."
He will appear before Westminster magistrates later. Defending, Euan Macmillan said there were "significant deficiencies" with the document.
Mr Rancadore has been remanded in custody until a hearing on Friday afternoon when the judge will decide if he can be released on bail.
'Blameless life'
The former teacher is wanted in Italy to serve a seven-year jail term for being part of a criminal organisation between 1987 and 1995, having been convicted in his absence in 1999.
The court heard how the Italian came to the UK in 1993, after being acquitted at the end of a three-year court case over Mafia allegations.
Mr Macmillan said Mr Rancadore had lived "a blameless life" in Britain.
The Italian Interior Ministry said he had run a travel agency in London and had led a comfortable life.The Italian Interior Ministry said he had run a travel agency in London and had led a comfortable life.
In a statement, it said: "Several co-operating witnesses have referred to him as a leading member of the Palermo Mafia 'family', with a senior managerial role in the Caccamo 'commandment'.In a statement, it said: "Several co-operating witnesses have referred to him as a leading member of the Palermo Mafia 'family', with a senior managerial role in the Caccamo 'commandment'.
"In particular, in the 1990s, he played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo."In particular, in the 1990s, he played the role of chief of the Cosa Nostra in Trabia, Palermo.
"The operation is the result of the important relationship of international police co-operation ensured through Interpol.""The operation is the result of the important relationship of international police co-operation ensured through Interpol."
A 76-year-old neighbour, who lives in Manor Waye, said she knew Rancadore as Marc Skinner and his family had lived in the road for several years. A 76-year-old neighbour, who lives in Manor Waye, said she knew Mr Rancadore as Marc Skinner and his family had lived in the road for several years.
"I know him very well and he's one of the best neighbours you could ever have," she said."I know him very well and he's one of the best neighbours you could ever have," she said.
"They have been here for years. I've seen the children grow up with my children. I don't know the ins and outs of this, but they are the nicest people that you could wish to meet.""They have been here for years. I've seen the children grow up with my children. I don't know the ins and outs of this, but they are the nicest people that you could wish to meet."