Italy is today celebrating the arrest of a top Mafia boss in the 'Ndrangheta, the Calabrian Mafa, the latest coup in its crackdown on organised crime and Mafia Godfathers.

Pasquale Condello, 57, known to fellow members of the 'Ndrangheta as 'The Supreme One, was arrested at an apartment in Reggio Calabria after nearly two decades on the run. Police said he offered no resistance and was taken by surprise. Although there were weapons on the premises he made no move to use them, nor did his son-in-law and nephew, who were with him and are also being interrogated.

Francesco Mollace, the ant Mafia prosecutor in Reggio Calabria , said Condello had been "one of the last bosses still on the loose". Two years ago police arrested Bernardo Provenzano, the Sicilan Mafia "boss of bosses", at a hideout near his stronghold of Corleone in Sicily, and last autumn his presumed successor in Palermo, Salvatore Lo Piccolo, was also put behind bars.

Condello is accused of running extortion and cocaine trafficking networks for the 'Ndrangheta, which anti-Mafia police say controls much of the European cocaine link with South America and has become even more powerful than Sicilian Mafia or the Naples Mafia, the Camorra.

Giuliano Amato, the Interior Minister, said "This is the latest extraordinary operation against organised crime. Pasquale Condello was the number one boss of the 'Ndrangheta."

The extent of the Calabrian Mafia's reach became clear last August when its hitmen shot dead six people at a pizzeria in the German city of Duisburg, in a feud between Mafia families from Calabria. The 'Ndrangheta is also known to have infiltrated many businesses in northern Italy, including Milan, where it launders drugs money by investing in businesses from hotels to food distribution.

Mr Amato said Condello was "the Provenzano of Calabria". Alberto Cisterna, another anti Mafia prosecutor, said Condello had headed "one of the most ferocious" of the 'Ndrangheta clans. He had been given several life prison sentences in absentia, for crimes including the killing in 1987 of Ludovico Legato, former head of Italian state railways.

Police said Condello, who had been under surveillance for some time, was among Italy's 30 most wanted criminals. Mr Amato said this was "a great day for Calabria and the fight against organised crime in Italy".

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