No less than 64 Dead in Rio's Biggest Law Enforcement Operation on Criminal Groups
No less than 64 individuals lost their lives in a police operation against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's past.
Four security agents were among those killed during Operation Containment in the communities of Alemão and Penha, state officials reported. In excess of 80 people were taken into custody.
Intense confrontations erupted when approximately 2,500 law enforcement officers initiated the operation on the morning of the operation. The criminal organization reacted using shooting, burning barricades and dropping bombs from drones, authorities confirmed.
The International human rights organization stated it felt "appalled" by the police operation, urging "prompt and effective investigations".
Mission Consequences
The informal settlements adjacent to the city's international airport is seen as the main base of among the nation's strongest criminal organizations.
Government representatives stated a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "classified by law enforcement as potential lawbreakers".
Numerous individuals were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence.
Community Response
Community members have likened the elevated neighborhood - housing around 300,000 individuals - to a "battlefield" since the raid started.
Access ways continue shut throughout the region.
Criminal Expansion
The criminal network have been expanding their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and power in the informal settlements.
Rio's police said in excess of 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were captured in the raid, along with multiple guns.
Mission Context
The coordinated mission by different law enforcement agencies comes after a year-long investigation.
Many of the individuals are thought to be participants in an organization from the northern region who are at the moment taking refuge in the metropolitan area.
Wider Perspective
Extensive security missions are regular in Brazil before important worldwide conferences in the nation.
The international environmental meeting the climate conference is set to occur in the city of Belem in the north in late autumn.
