Rome - Mafia boss Rosario Gambino arrived in Rome Saturday morning to face a long-delayed prison sentence for his role in the illegal smuggle of drugs from Italy to the United States.

Gambino, who was tried in absentia in the 1980s and sentenced to 14 years in prison, had fought his extradition from the United States for years, reported Italian media.

Authorities had expected him to arrive in Rome on Friday, but had to wait one more day after Gambino's authorities won a new stay, arguing that Gambino's health would prevent the trip to Italy.

The arrival in Rome coincided with the 15th anniversary of the murder of mafia buster Giovanni Falcone, who issued the first arrest warrant for Gambino, 29 years ago.(dpa)