An Italian Mafia boss was arrested by the police in Pozzallo as he tried to board the catamaran to Malta posing as a tourist.

Aldo Gionta, 42, who has evaded the Italian police since May, had a false identity card and €1,000 in his pocket, according to La Stampa, a Sicilian newspaper.

He was arrested on Saturday night along with three unnamed people – a man and two women – disguised as a tourist at the sea passenger terminal where the Virtu Ferries catamaran berths in southern Sicily.

Police in plain clothes mingled with the passengers and arrested Mr Gionta and his friends soon after he passed through ticket control.

He is known for using disguises, including dressing like a woman, to evade the police

Mr Gionta was known for using disguises, including dressing up like a woman, to evade the police during his frequent movements from one place to another.

He was wanted for his links to a powerful mafia clan set up by his father Valentino Gionta, in Torre Anunziata, Naples.

Valentino Gionta was known as “the poet” because some of the messages he sent out to collaborators ended up in a tribute song for Mafia fugitives by singer Tony Marciano, who was arrested two years ago for drug trafficking.

His son was held in custody by the Italian police in Ragusa.

It is unclear whether Mr Gionta was going to remain in Malta or travel onwards to a North African country.