A Soccer Team Helped Italian Police to Catch Mafia Boss, Vincenzo La Porta After 11 Years of Hidding, Know The Whole Story
Italian mafia leader Vincenzo La Porta was detained over the weekend in Greece after police identified him in a picture commemorating Napoli’s victory in the Serie A football title a few weeks prior.
La Porta has been missing for 11 years and is connected to the Camorra, a deadly gang of organized criminals.
La Porta was photographed at Corfu Island, Greece, celebrating on a balcony after his hometown team won a football title, as reported by Sky News. Following the 60-year-old fugitive after they were seen by investigators, they traveled to the Greek island.
After stumbling upon him riding a motor scooter along a street, police were able to stop him and take him to prison, according to Sky News.
He was apprehended close to the eatery where he was allegedly employed as a chef. He has a new family in Greece, according to his attorney, and he does not want to be extradited.
One of Italy's most dangerous criminals Vincenzo La Porta is captured after 11 years after he went to watch football https://t.co/Oay6UVteN7 pic.twitter.com/69OeWwKFbi
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) August 5, 2023
“Betraying him was his passion for soccer and for the Napoli team,” police said in a statement. “With the championship victory, La Porta couldn’t resist celebrating.”
La Porta was sought after for convictions of fraud, tax evasion, and criminal association. He was told to stay in jail after appearing before a prosecutor on Saturday until an appeal court judge panel made a decision about an extradition request from Italy.
Italian fugitive caught in Corfu thanks to photo celebrating football win https://t.co/QPZBkXyHOU
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 5, 2023
His lawyer informed Sky News that LaPorta does not want to be extradited so he can remain in Greece with his new family. Italian officials want him flown back to Italy so he can complete a 14-year jail sentence.
“He was sentenced long ago for tax offenses,” Athanassios Giannakouris said.
Italian fugitive caught after passion for football betrays his location https://t.co/es4aRtpEQ2
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 5, 2023
“He has started a new family in Greece… he has a 9-year-old boy and is working as a cook to get by. He suffers from heart ailments. If he’s extradited, he and his family will be ruined,” he told Sky News.
According to reports, Italian police had been keeping an eye on La Porta’s movements for months, waiting for him to make a mistake that would reveal his whereabouts.
