Italy: Wig-wearing mob fugitive nabbed near Naples Eds: APNewsNow. AP Video planned.

AP Photos planned ROME (AP) Italy is hailing the capture of a wig-wearing mobster who was on the list of the country's top 30 fugitives.

Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa's office says paramilitary police arrested Luigi Esposito on Saturday in Posillipo, a northern coastal suburb of Naples. Esposito, on the run since 2003, was using a wig and false name when captured.

Police declined to comment Sunday.

Naples newspaper Il Mattino quoted local commander Mario Cinque as describing Esposito as an expert money-launderer, who funneled illicit cash from drug trafficking into tourism and other businesses for the Camorra crime syndicate.

Esposito winked at relatives and pursed his lips in a sign of a kiss Saturday outside the Naples police headquarters as officers led him off to prison.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-08-09 0821CST | save this article / add to your favorites list