Eurojust-Assisted Operation Leads to Capture of Fugitive Italian Crime Boss in Slovenia

Eurojust-Assisted Operation Leads to Capture of Fugitive Italian Crime Boss in Slovenia

(IN BRIEF) Italian and Slovenian authorities, supported by Eurojust, successfully arrested a fugitive Italian crime leader in Koper, Slovenia. The 40-year-old, who had been evading a 21-year prison sentence for various serious crimes including drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping, was apprehended following a coordinated investigation. The operation, which involved phone tapping and surveillance, led to his arrest just 10 days after Eurojust executed a European Investigation Order. The fugitive had been the leader of a Calabrian-origin organized crime group and had been on the run since February 2024.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 22-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a swift and coordinated operation, authorities from Italy and Slovenia, with the support of Eurojust, successfully arrested a high-profile fugitive in Koper, Slovenia. The fugitive, a 40-year-old leader of a notorious Italian organized crime group (OCG) of Calabrian origin, had been evading a 21-year prison sentence for multiple serious crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping.

The fugitive had been on the run since February 2024, fleeing just before his conviction was finalized. Italian authorities quickly issued a national and European Arrest Warrant, sparking an intensive multi-month investigation. The breakthrough came after the fugitive was traced to Slovenia through advanced phone tapping and surveillance techniques.

Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, played a pivotal role in the operation by executing a European Investigation Order (EIO). This legal tool facilitated surveillance activities in Slovenia, including phone tracking and physical monitoring, which led to the precise identification of the fugitive’s location.

Within just 10 days of the EIO’s execution, the collaborative efforts of the Slovenian and Italian authorities culminated in the arrest of the fugitive on 20 August in Koper.

The arrested individual had been leading a criminal organization responsible for trafficking cocaine across Italy and was also involved in numerous other criminal activities, such as robbery, fraud, embezzlement, and illegal possession of firearms. He was additionally convicted of mafia-related offenses in a separate trial.

Key agencies involved in this operation included the General Prosecution Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia, the Carabinieri’s Special Operational Department (ROS), the Anti-crime Section of Ancona, the Investigation Unit of Fermo, and the SIRENE Office at the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with the Public Prosecution Office of Koper and the Police Directorate in Koper, Slovenia.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

• Italy: General Prosecution Office at the Court of Appeal of Perugia; Carabinieri – ROS (Special Operational Department); Anti-crime Section of Ancona and Investigation Unit of Fermo; SIRENE Office at the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Slovenia: Public Prosecution Office of Koper; Police Directorate in Koper.

Media Contact:

Phone: + 31 70 412 55 00
media@eurojust.europa.eu

SOURCE: EUROJUST