Executed after breaking mafia code of silence: Camorra assassins shoot turncoat engineer in the face outside Apple HQ in Naples after he exposed construction racket

Camorra assassins have gunned down an engineer in Naples after he exposed the Italian Mafia organisation's construction racket.

Salvatore Coppola, 66, was shot in the face by his killers on Tuesday evening in the car park of a Deco store, just metres away from an Apple Headquarters, in San Giovanni a Teduccio.

The victim reportedly had past ties in the mob world and had once been a white-collar criminal close to the Mazzarella clan - historically considered to be one of the most powerful groups of the Camorra.

But after leaving the criminal organisation to collaborate with the justice system, police believe he was murdered for breaking the Mafia's strict code of silence.

Coppola was ambushed by the Camorra assassins on March 12 before they fled - reportedly leaving behind no eyewitnesses.

Salvatore Coppola, 66, was shot in the face by Camorra assassins on Tuesday night after he exposed the organisation's construction racket

Flying Squad and San Giovanni officers discovered Coppola's lifeless body in the car park of a Deco store in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Naples

The victim was once closely tied with the Mazzarella clan - one of the most powerful groups of the Camorra

Shortly after 7pm, officials from the Flying Squad and San Giovanni officers discovered Coppola's lifeless body and according to police, it was a 'real Camorra execution'.

Local Italian news site TODAY reported that Coppola had lived under a protection regime in the past and had recently returned, after having collaborated with the justice system for around 15 years.

In 2009, however, Coppola was involved in a huge finance operation that shed light on criminal economic speculation linked to the construction and real estate sector in the eastern area of Naples.

It is considered to be an ancient industrial area of the city, partly redeveloped through enormous investments. 

While Copolla began working with the District Anti-Mafia Directorate (DDA) of Naples to expose the Camorra gang, he revealed how the criminal system organised in the gray area of extortion, reported Corriere Del Mezzogiorno.

It was said that within the construction sector, the mob ensured no brick was laid without paying a sum of money to the 'system'.

He revealed background information on the economic interests linked to the investments, including alleged corruption. 

Civil servants and experts reportedly worked alongside Coppola to expose the construction racket, which police believe ultimately led to his brutal death.

The Carabinieri is now investigating the murder. 

The Camorra is recognised as one of the oldest and largest criminal organisations in Italy, dating back to the seventh century.

They originated in the region of Campania and grew to power in the 19th century.

The Camorra's organisational structure is divided into individual groups called 'clans' - of which there are believed to be around 180.