The leader of an Italian crime syndicate who had been on the run for six months has been arrested in the Slovenian seaside city of Koper. He has been convicted of multiple crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping, and was on the run from a 21-year prison sentence.

"A fast and coordinated action by Italian and Slovenian authorities, supported by Eurojust, has led to the arrest of a dangerous criminal hiding in Koper," Eurojust said on 22 August. Eurojust did not name the fugitive but Italian media have identified him as Salvatore Roberto Perricciolo.

The Calabria-born leader of a criminal organisation, which trafficked cocaine throughout Italy, fled on the eve of his conviction in February this year. He was also convicted of other crimes such as robbery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, kidnapping and the illegal possession of weapons. In a separate trial, he was found guilty of mafia-related offences.

A national and European arrest warrant was issued for the 40-year-old fugitive after he fled, with complex efforts to track him down lasting several months. The fugitive was finally located in Slovenia through a phone tapping and surveillance operation.

"It was at this point that Eurojust became involved in the operation by executing a European investigation order (EIO). The EIO enabled surveillance activities in Slovenia, including phone tracking and physical tailing. In just ten days, the EIO was executed and the Slovenian and Italian authorities were able to pinpoint the fugitive's precise location in Koper, leading to his arrest on 20 August," Eurojust wrote.

Along with the Koper police and prosecution, the operation included several Italian authorities, including the Italian police's special operations unit and the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs.