No less than 64 Fatally Wounded in Rio de Janeiro's Most Extensive Law Enforcement Operation on Organized Crime
No less than 64 people lost their lives in a security raid cracking down on the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in Rio de Janeiro's north zone - the largest and deadliest raid in the Brazilian state's records.
Four security agents lost their lives during the security mission in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, local authorities reported. In excess of 80 individuals were taken into custody.
Intense confrontations broke out when approximately 2,500 security personnel initiated the operation on Tuesday morning. The Comando Vermelho reacted using shooting, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, officials confirmed.
The United Nations human rights body stated it felt "horrified" by the law enforcement raid, urging "prompt and effective investigations".
Mission Consequences
The slum neighborhoods near the aerial transportation hub is regarded as the central command of among the nation's strongest illegal networks.
State officials confirmed no less than 50 of those killed were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals".
Numerous individuals were wounded, including civilians caught in the crossfire.
Resident Accounts
Locals have compared the hillside area - inhabited by approximately 300,000 residents - to a "war zone" since the raid started.
Transport routes stay blocked in the entire neighborhood.
Organized Crime Spread
The criminal network have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities.
Security forces reported in excess of 200kg (441lb) of drugs were confiscated in the mission, together with numerous weapons.
Raid Preparation
The joint operation by various security forces follows a year-long investigation.
Many of the individuals are considered participants in an organization from the Pará state who are at the moment taking refuge in Rio de Janeiro.
Wider Perspective
Large-scale police operations are frequent in the South American nation before major international events in the nation.
The international environmental meeting the environmental summit is scheduled in the northern city of Belem in November.
