One of Italy's most wanted men, who allegedly traded two stolen Van Gogh paintings on the black market, has been arrested in Dubai.
The force said they raided the residence of Raffaele Imperiale, 46, on July 30.
He is alleged to be a drugs kingpin of Naples' feared Camorra organised crime syndicate.
Valuables including cash and paintings were seized in the raid.
Imperiale had been using an alias and trying to hide his movements to remain "in the shadows", officers said.
On August 14, Dubai Police also arrested Imperiale's right-hand man, Raffaele Mauriello, 31, who they said was "responsible for plotting and executing murders and assassinations using unlicensed firearms".
Imperiale and Mauriello are wanted by Italian authorities and Interpol who have issued "red notices" against them.
Dubai Police said it apprehended Imperiale despite the fact he was impersonating someone else using a fake identity under the name of "Antonio Rocco".
Deliberate subterfuge
The force said he used different cars to hide his daily movements and lived in an isolated home to monitor those who approached him. He intentionally had avoided registering a precise address to mislead authorities and remain in the shadows, officers said.
Imperiale's residence was raided after he was placed under constant surveillance for a week. Officers also seized large sums of cash, luxury watches and valuables including paintings.
Artificial intelligence and Dubai's Oyoon (eyes) network of more than 300,000 security cameras helped the investigation.
The men's cases have been transferred to Dubai's Public Prosecution which which "determine the mechanism for their extradition".
Interpol said its network had helped secure the arrests.
“No matter how much wealth or power fugitives accumulate, or how far they travel, police work does not stop," said Interpol secretary general Jurgen Stock, welcoming the arrests.
"Cases such as this underline the power of international police cooperation via Interpol's global network more than ever."
Brig Jamal Al Jallaf, director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Dubai Police, praised the efforts of all investigating teams who were able to reveal the true identity of Imperiale.
Imperiale has been sought by Italy for alleged international drug trafficking since January 2016. Italy's Interior Ministry said he was considered one of the nation's "most dangerous and most wanted fugitives".
Imperiale was also wanted for money laundering, police said.
Stolen masterpieces
In 2016, two Van Gogh works, stolen from an Amsterdam museum, were found hidden in a farmhouse on property owned by Imperiale in the town of Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples.
“The wealth illicitly accumulated allowed him to buy on the black market two Van Gogh paintings of unquantifiable value,” Italian police said.
View of the Sea at Scheveningen (1882) and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen (1884-1885) were stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 2002.
Italian financial police found the paintings wrapped in cotton sheets, stuffed into a box and hidden behind a bathroom wall.
The artworks were discovered when police seized property from Imperiale and another reputed Camorra drug kingpin.
Police said Imperiale gave an interview to Naples newspaper Il Mattino this year in which he denied any involvement in the theft of the paintings and claimed he bought the works because he is a passionate art lover.
His arrest was a result of an investigation co-ordinated by Naples prosecutors and conducted by police officers and the financial police’s organised crime division in the city.
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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England v West Indies
England squad for the first Test Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root (captain), Malan, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Roland-Jones, Broad, Anderson, Woakes, Crane
Fixtures
1st Test Aug 17-21, Edgbaston
2nd Test Aug 25-29, Headingley
3rd Test Sep 7-11, Lord's
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
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