Delay in 'Mafia' extradition case

A bid to extradite to Italy an alleged Mafia boss who was arrested in east London accused of extortion and drugs trafficking, has been delayed.

Raffaele Caldarelli, 35, was remanded in custody on Thursday until 15 February at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.

At issue is confusion over arrest warrants for Mr Caldarelli.

He was arrested in Hackney, where he was running a shoe shop, in September 2006 following undercover police work.

Narcotic drugs

One warrant alleges offences of participating in a criminal organisation and trafficking in weapons, munitions and explosives.

Senior District Judge Timothy Workman said he would be seeking clarification from the issuing judicial authorities in Naples within 21 days.

The court has heard claims that Mr Caldarelli was a member of the Camorra, the Naples-based Mafia.

Police in Naples, Mr Caldarelli's home town, claim he is wanted for extortion and trafficking in drugs and weapons.

Italian police said he was sentenced to jail in his absence in 1995, but had managed to evade police since then.