Notorious Mafia Boss Found In Hidden Bunker

A Mafia boss has been arrested by police after being found in an underground bunker 15 years after going on the run.

A bulldozer and a crane were brought in by armed officers as they launched a raid on the hiding spot of Godfather Michele Zagaria - nicknamed Capastorta (crooked head).

The 53-year-old was on Italy's 20 Most Wanted List and had been sentenced to life in his absence for murder, extortion, robbery and Mafia association.

Police were led to the underground complex following a tip-off.

He was found in Casapesenna, a small town to the north of Naples, which is the heartland of the local Mafia known as the Camorra.

Although lesser known than their Sicilian counterparts, they are more ruthless and bloodthirsty.

Zagaria was a top boss in the Casalesi clan - one of the Camorra's most feared families.

Rumours abound over the years he reigned at large - he is reputed to have carried out his most secret and dangerous meetings in local churches.

He would also conduct business meetings from a chaise longue at his majestic villa, while caressing a beloved pet tiger, according to press reports.

The crime lord had tried to escape through one of the numerous hatches in the complex but he was cornered after the lift mechanism designed to take him to the surface malfunctioned.

An ambulance was called as he collapsed when he was brought out by police although he still managed to smile and tell them: ''You have won. The State has won.''

He was led away in handcuffs and driven off in a cavalcade of sirens and cheering officers beeping their horns.

Naples chief prosecutor Giandomenico Lepore said: ''This is a great retirement gift for me on my last day in office. The guys said they would bring Zagaria in and they have done, they have kept their promise. I am delighted and I would like to thank everyone involved in this operation.''

Before going on the run, Zagaria tried to pass himself off as a successful property developer and was said to have paid £400,000 for a building plot with a briefcase full of banknotes.

Detectives said that he had aged considerably more than his most recent artist's impression and was being held under tight security at the main police HQ in Naples.

Italy's new justice minister Anna Maria Cancellieri also praised the arrest saying: ''This is a great success for the State and is not only a blow against the Casalesi and the Camorra but the whole of organised crime.

"It is down to extraordinary work and effort from both police and prosecutors."

However, not all were delighted with his arrest.

One local who would only give his name as Mario said: "Zagaria gave us money and he gave us work. With him gone now what are we going to do? Who is going to protect us?"

The Casalesi clan were the basis of the hard-hitting book Gomorrah which was turned into a film and exposes how the Camorra make money from the illegal dumping of toxic waste, drugs, extortion, people and arms smuggling, prostitution and loan sharking.