Francesco Lapis, identified as one of the most dangerous fugitives from the Italian criminal underworld, was arrested on Saturday in Barcelona, Spain.
Evading Capture
According to Digi24 Lapis had been evading capture following his conviction in Italy for trafficking large quantities of cocaine, hashish, and marijuana between Spain and Italy. The Italian police had issued a European arrest warrant for Lapis after he fled the country.
Spanish police received a request from their Italian counterparts to help locate Lapis, who was suspected to be in Spain.
Initial leads suggested that he might be in Ibiza, but as associates of Lapis traveled from France to Barcelona, Spanish authorities began surveillance operations in the city.
A Significant blow
The pursuit of Lapis became more intense when his associates switched taxis shortly after arriving at Barcelona's airport. Despite their efforts to evade detection, Spanish police managed to track them to the outskirts of the city. On a public road, they encountered Lapis and promptly arrested him.
The arrest highlights the ongoing international cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime.
Lapis's capture is a significant blow to the Camorra Romana, an influential crime syndicate, and underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking and apprehending fugitives involved in high-level criminal activities.
