Around 400 officers took part in the massive police operation, supported by ten bulletproof vehicles and four helicopters.
At least 18 people were killed in a police raid against organized crime groups in the Complexo do Alemãn slum in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to several news agencies.
Brazilian police and army raided the slum on Thursday. The strike is part of an operation aimed at getting the slums or favelas controlled by drug dealers under the control of the authorities. The target of the raid was a criminal group that stole cars and robbed banks and invaded nearby areas. Around 400 officers took part in the massive police operation, supported by ten bulletproof vehicles and four helicopters.
Spokesperson for the State Military Police Ivan Blasin according to the attack, 16 people belonging to a criminal organization and two others who lived in the area died in the attack. Blas said at a press conference that the death toll is still being counted.
Residents of the area say that if you tried to help the injured, the police arrested you.
– It was a massacre within the area, which the police call an operation, states a woman living in the area.
The police often raid the slums of Rio to eradicate the rampant drug trade in the areas.
Fabricio Oliveiraone of the raid’s coordinators, said authorities fear Friday could be another day of violence in the Complexo do Alemãn slum.
– According to our experience, we know that after raids like these, the police are attacked in every way, Oliveira said.