Police in Italy say they'll continue their hunt for the most wanted leader of the Sicilian mafia, Bernardo Provenzano, after he evaded capture in an operation in which more than fifty of his alleged associates were detained on Tuesday.

The arrests were part of a two-year investigation in several towns and cities across Sicily.

Despite the failure to capture Provenzano, who's been on the run for thirty years,police say evidence recovered, including a cache of letters, will help them in their search for him.

In the papers, Provenzano gives advice to his men, informs them about criminal activities and intervenes in internal disputes.