Cosa Nostra's boss heard yesterday afternoon

Domenico Rancadore

Domenico Rancadore, 64, has just been committed by the Extradition Court of Westminster, London, to remain in custody until August 22, when he will be heard again.

Running away from the Italian authorities for 19 years, one of the heads of Cosa Nostra, the powerful Sicilian Mafia, has been arrested yesterday in his home in Manor Waye, Uxbridge, West London.

In 1999 he was convicted in his absence and sentenced to seven years in jail. He does not agree with his extradition.

Known in England as Marc Skinner, the Italian warrant as well as that of yesterday accused Rancadore of being a ‘man of honour’, consisting in contacting other leaders of the organization; extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking on behalf of Cosa Nostra; and of ‘illicit management of building effects’.

He was heard yesterday afternoon at 3 p.m. by District Judge Quentin Purdy. Rancadore is said to have received the equivalent of £340,000 through his dealings.

The authorities from his country did not find him for a long time, and he has ‘no formal identity’ in England since he was under a fake name. D.J. Quentin Purdy therefore refused him bail saying the defendant had 'actively evaded apprehension for a significant period of time'.

District Judge Quentin Purdy

Rancadore had been acquitted of Mafia-related crimes after the 'Maxi Trial' in Italy, on December 16, 1987, and came to the UK in 1993. He had been living in England since then with his family, dealing with a travel agency.

Euan Macmillan, representing Rancadore, said yesterday that his client was suffering from heart condition. D. J. Quentin Purdy therefore reported the rest of the session to a week, leaving time to get further medical proofs.

Benjamin Siefert, appearing for the Italian authorities, said in offensive that Rancadore was trying to escape by the back of his house, after having been alerted by his wife and daughter of the arrival of the authorities.

Macmillan responded by telling again the age and health condition of Rancadore, which could never have permitted him to escape: he was therefore merely wandering in the back of his house.

The hearing will continue in two weeks, on August 22, at 10 a.m. at Westminster Court. A full extradition hearing will take place on November 25.

This article was written as an assignment for the London School of Journalism.