The man believed to be the top boss of the Italian 'Ndrangheta crime organization was arrested Tuesday in a huge sweep in Southern Italy, ANSA news agency reported.

Domenico Oppedisano, 80, was caught at Rosarno, a small costal town where the organization is based, police said.

Oppedisano was reportedly appointed head of 'Ndrangheta, Italy's most powerful crime group, at a wedding last year and served as "the reference point for the entire organization."

The operation, involving 3,000 police officers across the country, was considered one of the biggest blow to 'Ndrangheta.

'Ndrangheta, with its dominance in the European cocaine trade, is now considered Italy's most dangerous mafia, rivaling Sicily's Cosa Nostra.

The Italian government has step up its efforts to fight the mafia in recent years as evidenced by some key arrests against the Naples's Camorra mafia.