Rome – Antonio Pompilio, a 47-year-old believed to be a leading member of the “Amato-Pagano” Camorra clan, or the secessionists, landed at Rome Fiumicino airport last night at 18:30 pm on a flight from Barcelona.
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The man, wanted for months, was taken into custody by the Carabinieri of the Naples Investigative Unit and by the Polaria agents, concluding an escape that began last November.
Pompilio, considered one of the leaders of the criminal organization operating in the neighborhoods of Scampia, Melito di Napoli, Mugnano di Napoli and with a logistics base in Gricignano d'Aversa, had escaped capture during an operation by the Carabinieri last November 12.
That raid, conducted as part of the “Champions League 2” investigation, led to the arrest of 33 people seriously suspected of criminal association aimed at drug trafficking, aggravated by the use of weapons and support for the “Amato-Pagano” clan.
He had escaped the Champions League 2 blitz
The capture of the 47-year-old took place on the night of January 17 in Barcelona, thanks to a joint operation by the police of the Investigative Unit of Naples, of the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services (DCSA), of the International Police Cooperation Service, of Europol and of the Special Operations Group, with the operational support of the Udyco of the Policia Nacional of Madrid.
Pompilio was then extradited to Italy and handed over to the Italian authorities pursuant to a precautionary custody order issued by the GIP of the Court of Naples at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office of Naples - District Anti-Mafia Directorate.
The “Champions League 2” investigation brought to light the existence of two distinct criminal organizations operating in the Neapolitan territory, dedicated to drug trafficking, in particular cocaine and hashish. Although not connected to each other, the two organizations referred to a single supply channel managed in Spain.
Pompilio, accompanied yesterday evening by personnel from the Service for International Police Cooperation, was transferred to prison and will be at the disposal of the Naples District Anti-Mafia Directorate. His arrest represents a further blow to the clan "Beloved-Pagan”, already under pressure after recent law enforcement operations.
International collaboration between Italy and Spain confirms itself as a key element in the fight against organized crime, demonstrating once again how the fight against drug trafficking requires coordinated and borderless action.
Article published on March 14, 2025 - 06pm
Pompilio's arrest is an important event in the fight against the Camorra, but there are many questions about how he managed to escape for so long. I hope the authorities continue to work to stop drug trafficking.