🔗 Share this article A minimum of 64 Killed in Rio's Largest Law Enforcement Operation on Organized Crime Residents described the area to a battlefield after the raid A minimum of 64 people died in a police operation against the Red Command gang in the Brazilian city's northern districts - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's records. Four police officers lost their lives during Operation Containment in the communities of Alemão and Penha, local authorities reported. Over 80 individuals were taken into custody. Some 2,500 law enforcement officers took part in Tuesday's operation Violent conflicts erupted when approximately 2,500 security personnel moved in on the morning of the operation. The criminal organization responded with armed resistance, setting fire to barriers and using drone-dropped explosives, authorities confirmed. The International human rights organization stated it felt "shocked" by the security action, calling for "swift and comprehensive examinations". Mission Consequences The area of favelas adjacent to the aerial transportation hub is regarded as the central command of among the nation's strongest organised crime groups. Government representatives stated a minimum of 50 of the fatalities were "indicated by police as suspected of being criminals". Dozens of people were wounded, including non-combatants affected by the violence. Community Response Community members have described the elevated neighborhood - home to about 300,000 people - to a "battlefield" since the mission commenced. Access ways continue shut throughout the region. Criminal Expansion The Red Command group have been expanding their territory across the Rio state, expanding narcotics distribution networks and control of the hillside favelas. Rio's police reported more than 200kg (441lb) of illegal substances were captured in the operation, in addition to multiple guns. Mission Context The joint operation by different law enforcement agencies was preceded by a year-long investigation. Dozens of the suspects are believed to be members of a faction from the Pará state who are presently concealed in the metropolitan area. Wider Perspective Large-scale police operations are not uncommon in the country ahead of significant global gatherings in the country. The UN climate summit the climate conference is taking place in the city of Belem in the north in late autumn.