No less than 64 Killed in Rio's Biggest Police Raid on Organized Crime
At least 64 civilians died in a law enforcement action cracking down on the organized crime group in the Brazilian city's northern suburbs - the largest and deadliest raid in the area's past.
Four security agents were included in the fatalities during the police action in the communities of Alemão and Penha, local authorities said. Over 80 individuals were taken into custody.
Violent conflicts erupted when approximately 2,500 security personnel initiated the operation on Tuesday early hours. The Comando Vermelho countered with gunfire, igniting obstacles and using drone-dropped explosives, police representatives confirmed.
The United Nations human rights body stated it felt "shocked" by the police operation, urging "immediate and thorough inquiries".
Mission Consequences
The area of favelas close to the city's international airport is seen as the headquarters of a major illegal networks.
State officials stated no less than 50 of the deceased were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Numerous individuals were injured, including civilians caught in the crossfire.
Resident Accounts
Locals have described the hillside area - inhabited by approximately 300,000 residents - to a "war zone" since the raid started.
Roads remain closed in the entire neighborhood.
Criminal Expansion
The criminal network have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, growing illegal substance trade paths and control of the hillside favelas.
Local law enforcement stated more than 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the raid, in addition to multiple guns.
Operation Background
The combined action by civil and military police comes after a extended probe.
Dozens of the suspects are thought to be affiliates of a group from the Brazilian state who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Larger Framework
Extensive security missions are regular in Brazil before major international events in the nation.
The United Nations climate conference the environmental summit is set to occur in the northern city of Belem in the eleventh month.
