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Mafia top boss's family members arrested in Sicily Mafia top boss's family members arrested in Sicily
(about 1 hour later)
Close family members of the Sicilian mafia's fugitive "boss of bosses" have been arrested in what police have called one of the most significant anti-crime operations in Sicily in years.Close family members of the Sicilian mafia's fugitive "boss of bosses" have been arrested in what police have called one of the most significant anti-crime operations in Sicily in years.
Police hunting Matteo Messina Denaro, who took over the reins of Sicily's Cosa Nostra as a fugitive after his predecessors were nabbed in recent years, arrested his sister, his nephew and two cousins on Friday.Police hunting Matteo Messina Denaro, who took over the reins of Sicily's Cosa Nostra as a fugitive after his predecessors were nabbed in recent years, arrested his sister, his nephew and two cousins on Friday.
In total, police said 30 people were arrested around Trapani in the west of the Italian island in a major operation that they called a "hard blow" to the mafia leadership surrounding the fugitive boss. In total, police said, 30 people were arrested around Trapani in the west of the Italian island in a major operation that they called a "hard blow" to the mafia leadership surrounding the fugitive boss.
Messina Denaro, 50, was once known as the "playboy boss" because he liked fast cars, women and gold watches. He has been on the run since 1993.Messina Denaro, 50, was once known as the "playboy boss" because he liked fast cars, women and gold watches. He has been on the run since 1993.
He has been running the crime group since the arrest in 2006 of Bernardo Provenzano after nearly four decades as a fugitive.He has been running the crime group since the arrest in 2006 of Bernardo Provenzano after nearly four decades as a fugitive.
Police said they believed Messina Denaro's 43-year-old sister Patrizia and other arrested family members maintained contact with the boss and helped him run the crime syndicate.Police said they believed Messina Denaro's 43-year-old sister Patrizia and other arrested family members maintained contact with the boss and helped him run the crime syndicate.
The arrested were accused of belonging to a criminal group and of extortion related to the control of a number of construction companies in Sicily.The arrested were accused of belonging to a criminal group and of extortion related to the control of a number of construction companies in Sicily.
They also said they confiscated some €5m (£4.22m) worth of property believed to belong to the missing crime boss and his family.They also said they confiscated some €5m (£4.22m) worth of property believed to belong to the missing crime boss and his family.
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