Indonesia deports mafia-linked drug trafficker Antonio Strangio to Italy
- Strangio is wanted in Italy on charges of trafficking 160kg of cannabis. Prosecutors say he has connections to the notorious ‘Ndrangheta mafia
- The 32-year-old claimed to have a legitimate property business in Australia and has maintained his innocence, according to local media
Antonio Strangio, 32, appeared on Interpol’s “red notice” list when he was stopped and detained in Bali on February 3 after arriving from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bali police spokesman Satake Bayu Setianto cited safety reasons in refusing to say when Strangio will be deported to Italy, where he’s wanted on charges of trafficking 160kg (352 pounds) of cannabis. The suspect was shown to reporters at an airport news conference given by the police and was escorted to the departure hall on Sunday afternoon.
Strangio is allegedly connected to the ‘Ndrangheta mafia, considered by Italian prosecutors to be the most important criminal organisation in the Western world.
“After coordinating with National Central Bureau in Rome, he must be sent to Italy immediately. He will be delivered from here to Italy, and there he will be called to account on his case until there is a ruling,” said Anggaito Hadi Prabowo, an official from the Indonesian national police international relations division
“For the ‘Ndrangheta itself, there are special operations between European countries, and all of its members are red notice subjects who must be held accountable for trials in their respective countries.”
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The authorities said three Indonesian police officials will take Strangio to Italy, but they declined to provide further details on his flight plan due to safety reasons and so as not to inconvenience other passengers.
Strangio was arrested in Bali while transiting the island on his way home to Australia.
Additional reporting by Reuters
