The boss of the Vibo ‘ndrangheta Pantaleone Mancuso, 65 years old, known as “the Engineer”, originally from Limbadi but resident in Nicotera, is back in prison. The prison sentence of one year, 4 months and 8 days for repeated violations of the obligations connected to the prevention measure of special surveillance with residence obligation has become irrevocable.
The arrest was carried out by the carabinieri of the Nicotera station, who took the man to the Vibo Valentia prison.
The precedents and release from prison
Mancuso was released from prison in January 2025 following a decision by the Surveillance Court of Naples. Previously he was in the Aversa workhouse after evading probation, making himself unavailable following his son Emanuele’s collaboration with the justice system.
He was then tracked down and arrested in Rome on 15 March 2019 inside a bingo hall. Already in 2014 he had been captured on the border between Argentina and Brazil while he was on the run for mafia association and double attempted murder. Extradited to Italy, he disappeared again in 2016, being arrested in June 2017 in Joppolo.
Proceedings in progress
Mancuso is currently accused in Vibo Valentia for international cocaine trafficking, as chief promoter, in the trial arising from the DDA “Adelphi” operation. He is also on trial on appeal in Catanzaro for the double attempted murder of his aunt Romana Mancuso and his cousin Giovanni Rizzo.