No less than 64 Dead in Rio de Janeiro's Biggest Police Raid on Organized Crime
A minimum of 64 people were killed in a police operation against the organized crime group in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the biggest and most lethal operation in the area's history.
Four police officers lost their lives during Operation Containment in the communities of Alemão and Penha, government representatives reported. In excess of 80 suspects were detained.
Intense confrontations erupted when approximately 2,500 law enforcement officers entered the area on Tuesday early hours. The criminal organization responded with shooting, burning barricades and dropping bombs from drones, authorities said.
The United Nations human rights body stated it felt "horrified" by the police operation, urging "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Operation Impact
The slum neighborhoods close to Rio's airport is considered to be the main base of among the nation's strongest illegal networks.
Government representatives confirmed a minimum of 50 of those killed were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Numerous individuals were hurt, including civilians caught in the crossfire.
Local Reaction
Locals have likened the mountainous region - housing around 300,000 people - to a "battlefield" since the operation began.
Access ways continue shut across the area.
Criminal Expansion
The criminal network have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.
Rio's police said in excess of 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were seized in the mission, in addition to multiple guns.
Mission Context
The combined action by civil and military police follows a year-long investigation.
Many of the individuals are considered members of a faction from the Brazilian state who are presently concealed in Rio de Janeiro.
Broader Context
Extensive security missions are frequent in Brazil prior to important worldwide conferences in the South American nation.
The international environmental meeting the climate conference is taking place in the northern city of Belem in late autumn.
