A minimum of 64 Dead in Rio's Largest Police Raid on Organized Crime
No less than 64 individuals were killed in a law enforcement action against the organized crime group in the Brazilian city's north zone - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's history.
Four police officers lost their lives during the police action in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, state officials said. Over 80 people were detained.
Violent conflicts broke out when about 2,500 police forces entered the area on Tuesday morning. The Comando Vermelho reacted using armed resistance, burning barricades and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities stated.
The United Nations human rights body said it was "horrified" by the security action, demanding "swift and comprehensive examinations".
Operation Impact
The slum neighborhoods close to the city's international airport is considered to be the main base of among the nation's strongest illegal networks.
Government representatives confirmed no less than 50 of those killed were "identified by authorities as alleged offenders".
Numerous individuals were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Resident Accounts
Locals have described the elevated neighborhood - housing around 300,000 people - to a "combat area" since the raid started.
Access ways continue shut across the area.
Organized Crime Spread
The Comando Vermelho organization have been expanding their control throughout the region, increasing drug trafficking routes and dominance over the slum communities.
Local law enforcement said over 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the operation, along with numerous weapons.
Raid Preparation
The coordinated mission by different law enforcement agencies follows a extended probe.
Many of the individuals are believed to be participants in an organization from the Pará state who are at the moment taking refuge in Rio de Janeiro.
Larger Framework
Extensive security missions are not uncommon in the South American nation prior to 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 November.
