🔗 Share this article A minimum of 64 Killed in Rio's Largest Police Raid on Criminal Groups Community members compared the region to a battlefield after the mission A minimum of 64 people were killed in a police operation against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in the Brazilian city's north zone - the most extensive and fatal action in the area's history. Four law enforcement personnel lost their lives during the security mission in the communities of Alemão and Penha, local authorities said. Over 80 suspects were arrested. Approximately 2,500 security personnel participated in the police raid Intense confrontations commenced when about 2,500 police forces entered the area on Tuesday early hours. The Red Command countered with armed resistance, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities stated. The United Nations human rights body stated it felt "shocked" by the police operation, demanding "immediate and thorough inquiries". Operation Impact The slum neighborhoods close to the city's international airport is regarded as the central command of a major illegal networks. Local authorities said no less than 50 of those killed were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals". Dozens of people were injured, including non-combatants affected by the violence. Community Response Locals have described the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 residents - to a "combat area" since the operation began. Transport routes stay blocked in the entire neighborhood. Organized Crime Spread The Comando Vermelho organization have been expanding their control throughout the region, expanding narcotics distribution networks and dominance over the slum communities. Local law enforcement reported more than 200kg (441lb) of narcotics were confiscated in the operation, together with numerous weapons. Operation Background The coordinated mission by different law enforcement agencies comes after a twelve-month inquiry. Dozens of the suspects are believed to be participants in an organization from the Brazilian state who are currently hiding in the city. Broader Context Major law enforcement actions are not uncommon in the South American nation prior to important worldwide conferences in the South American nation. The international environmental meeting the environmental summit is taking place in the northern city of Belem in the eleventh month.