Morocco: an Italian mafia boss living under a false Swiss passport arrested in Casablanca

The International Police Cooperation Service of the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police, in coordination with the security expert posted at the Italian Embassy in Rabat, in liaison with the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services, put an end to the flight of Patrizio Forniti, 53 years old, and his wife Monica Montanaro. Based on an international arrest warrant issued by the court in Rome, the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie arrested the couple in Casablanca, where they were living in hiding with false Swiss passports.

The names of Forniti and Montanaro were on the list of dangerous fugitive criminals. Last year, they had escaped from a police operation called Assedio. In total, 24 people had been arrested in the context of this operation. Forniti was convicted at first instance for extortion using mafia methods. According to the investigators, he maintained close ties with Calabrian clans and also with the Camorra, particularly in drug trafficking, even when he was under house arrest. His wife also holds a leading position within the clan, the investigators say.

After the arrest of these two fugitives, the Moroccan authorities have initiated extradition procedures to Italy.