A man listed among Italy’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Los Cristianos, south Tenerife, by the National Police following a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Italian authorities.
The arrest took place on 13th July, although details have only now been made public. The suspect is wanted in Italy for a series of offences committed between late 2018 and early 2019 and faces a prison sentence of five years, eight months and 14 days.
According to police, the man is accused of illegally possessing, carrying and firing both a handgun and a rifle in public. Investigators also allege that the weapons were later used in other criminal offences.
He is also wanted over the possession and distribution of counterfeit banknotes, as well as his alleged involvement in a large-scale employment fraud scheme.
The investigation claims the group used a network of companies to create fake employers and employees, manipulating Italy’s social security system. They allegedly falsified employment records, staged dismissals and deceived the authorities into paying unemployment benefits to people who were not entitled to receive them, causing significant financial losses to the state.
Following his arrest, the suspect was brought before the courts, where a judge ordered that he remain in custody while extradition proceedings to Italy are completed.
The National Police say public cooperation continues to play an important role in tracking down international fugitives, many of whom may be hiding, not just in the Canary Islands, but in different parts of Spain.
