Mafia boss arrested in Britain

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Gennaro Panzuto, 32, went on the run a year ago following a bloody mob war between rival clans in Naples, Italy. He is accused of four murders and a string of charges for extortion, firearms offences and Mafia association.

He was traced to a flat in Preston, Lancashire, and arrested on Thursday night following months of undercover work by Italian police, working with the UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).

It is understood Panzuto is in custody in Preston, awaiting an appearance before magistrates for an extradition hearing. A spokesman for Soca said they could not comment on operational matters.

Armed officers detained him at a property near the town centre after telephone calls made by his family from public phone boxes in Naples led to his hideout.

Italian police sources said Panzuto had used Mafia funds to set up shoe shops and clothing outlets in Manchester and London, which he was using as a cover and to launder money.

He was embroiled in a deadly battle between his own clan, the Pincirillos, and the Missos which resulted in the deaths of 20 people in the space of just three months. Panzuto is suspected of involvement in four of those murders.

Vittorio Pisano, chief of the Naples Flying Squad, said: "Panzuto is a very senior Mafia member and his arrest is of great significance. He is very dangerous and is suspected of four murders.

"He was the head of the Pincirillo clan which he took over from his uncles of the same name when they were arrested two years ago. Panzuto is also wanted for extortion, illegal possession of firearms and Mafia association."

He added: "Preston seems a rather unusual place to hide out as mostly these criminals prefer the South of France or Spain - I have never heard of a Mafia man being held in Preston before. When I heard that he had been located to Preston I had to look it up in an atlas as I had never heard of the place."