Domenico Paviglianiti, a leading figure in the Calabrian mafia, was arrested in Soria. Spanish police acted after months of investigation. The operation followed close cooperation with Italian authorities.
Domenico Paviglianiti, identified as one of the most influential leaders of the Calabrian mafia, was apprehended by the National Police in Soria last Friday. The arrest, confirmed by police sources and first reported by El Diario de Valladolid, took place as Paviglianiti exited a local restaurant. Authorities had been monitoring the area for weeks, suspecting that the fugitive was hiding from Italian justice in the city.
The operation was the result of a coordinated effort between Spain’s UDYCO Central and the Guardia di Finanza of Reggio Calabria. Investigators focused on a specific residence in Soria, eventually confirming Paviglianiti’s presence and moving in to detain him. Officers from the Soria Provincial Police also participated in the arrest, which was only made public on Sunday.
Paviglianiti’s criminal history in Spain is extensive. He was previously captured in Madrid in 2021 at the age of 60, and before that, in 1996, during a major police operation that led to the detention of 16 other members of his organization. After his 1996 arrest, he was extradited to Italy to serve a 30-year sentence for a separate crime. However, a ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court later annulled the extradition, resulting in his release. Italian authorities at the time investigated whether members of his clan had attempted to bribe Spanish judicial officials with 70 million pesetas (approximately 420,000 euros), though these efforts reportedly failed.
According to police statements from 2021, Paviglianiti is regarded as one of the top figures in organized crime in Calabria, with a primary focus on drug and arms trafficking. He is believed to be among the three most wanted individuals by Italian law enforcement and has been linked to the orchestration of nearly 130 murders. His leadership within the ‘Ndrangheta, the mafia originating from Italy’s Calabria region, has made him a central target for both Spanish and Italian authorities.
This latest arrest in Soria highlights the ongoing collaboration between Spanish and Italian police in tackling transnational organized crime. The case also draws attention to the challenges of extradition and legal cooperation between European countries, especially in high-profile criminal cases. In a related context, Spanish police have recently intensified efforts against organized crime, as seen in other operations such as the dismantling of illegal activities in Barcelona province, where authorities uncovered unauthorized dental clinics and detained several suspects. Details of that investigation can be found in this report on recent police actions against criminal networks in Catalonia.
The ‘Ndrangheta is considered one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Europe, with a significant presence in international drug trafficking. Spain’s role as a transit country for illicit goods has made it a frequent stage for such high-profile arrests. The continued pursuit of figures like Paviglianiti underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in combating organized crime across the continent.
