Rocco Morabito is an Italian organized-crime figure from Calabria who became internationally known for spending more than two decades as a fugitive from Italian justice. Italian authorities have linked him to the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia, and described him as a major figure in international drug trafficking.
Morabito was sentenced in Italy to 30 years in prison for drug-trafficking offenses. According to INTERPOL, he spent approximately 23 years avoiding arrest before being captured in South America.
Years in Uruguay
Morabito lived for many years in Uruguay under the false identity Francisco Capeletto. He established a relatively discreet life in Punta del Este and remained outside Italian custody for more than two decades.
In September 2017, Uruguayan authorities arrested him in Montevideo in an operation conducted with the participation of Italian investigators. He was detained while proceedings concerning his extradition to Italy were underway.
His detention in Uruguay became one of the most important episodes in the international search for the Italian fugitive. However, his extradition was never completed at that time.
Escape from prison
In June 2019, Morabito escaped from Uruguay's former Cárcel Central while awaiting extradition. The escape generated a major investigation into security failures and the circumstances surrounding his detention.
Uruguayan prosecutors were still investigating possible responsibilities connected with the escape as of 2025. Authorities concluded that there had been irregularities in the prison's security and custody procedures.
After his escape, Morabito disappeared again and became the subject of renewed international efforts to locate him.
Arrest in Brazil
Morabito was eventually located in João Pessoa, Brazil, where the Brazilian Federal Police arrested him in May 2021. The operation involved cooperation between Brazilian and Italian authorities, with support from INTERPOL. Brazilian authorities had been tracking information about his possible whereabouts following his escape from Uruguay.
INTERPOL described Morabito as a convicted Italian drug trafficker linked to the 'Ndrangheta and reported that he had spent 23 years on the run from Italian justice.
Extradition to Italy
In July 2022, Brazil extradited Morabito to Italy. He was transferred to Italian authorities after the Brazilian extradition process was completed.
His extradition ended a long international pursuit involving Italy, Uruguay, Brazil and INTERPOL. Italian authorities could then enforce the sentence imposed against him in connection with his established criminal convictions.
Morabito's story illustrates the international reach of investigations into the 'Ndrangheta and the importance of cooperation between national police forces when fugitives move between countries.
A separate investigation in Uruguay concerning the circumstances of his 2019 prison escape remained open in 2025. That proceeding concerns possible responsibility for the escape and is distinct from Morabito's Italian convictions.
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