PALERMO – The suspected new head of the Cosa Nostra was arrested on Tuesday morning in a string of Sicilian Mafia arrests, police sources report.

 Settimino Mineo, 80, was taken into custody alongside 45 other suspected members of Cosa Nostra as a result of the investigation carried out by Palermo state prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi. Each suspect is reportedly accused of mafia association and aggravated extortion.

 Mineo, officially a jeweller, was recently released from prison following an 11-year jail-sentence handed down in 2006. According to police, he is suspected to have taken over leadership of the mafia clan after the death of Toto Riina.

 Both Deputy Prime Ministers praised the Palermo Carabinieri for their effort in the investigations. Five Star Movement’s Luigi di Maio said that the 46 arrests “represent one of the hardest blows inflicted by the state on the mafia,” on his Facebook page. Meanwhile, Matteo Salvini commented, “the day begins well! Thanks to the police forces!”

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