The irresistible call of a lavish Easter feast in Sicily landed a prominent mobster behind bars on Sunday after authorities arrested him as he was returning to the island from Brazil to celebrate with family.
Considered by authorities to be the newly appointed “capo” of the Pagliarelli Mafia district in south-east Palermo, Giuseppe Calvaruso (44), had been living for months in Brazil, from where authorities say he was delegating mob affairs to loyal subordinates.
Easter in Sicily is one of the most important Catholic celebrations. After being away from home for nearly a year, Calvaruso had planned a brief stay to feast with family, authorities said, departing from Natal and stopping over briefly in Paris before landing at Falcone Borsellino airport in Palermo.