Brazil deadly anti-drug operation

At least 64 people died and 81 were arrested on Tuesday in a massive operation against the Red Command criminal group in the communities in Brazil. This is the deadliest operation in the state’s history, according to figures confirmed by the Rio de Janeiro state government.

This is another phase of Operation Containment, an ongoing initiative by the Rio de Janeiro state government to combat the advance of the Red Command in Rio de Janeiro. Drug traffickers have responded to the arrival of police with gunfire and burning barricades at the entrances to communities.

Videos recorded by residents captured the intense exchanges of gunfire between police and criminals. Four police officers are among the dead. The other victims, according to the government, were drug traffickers who exchanged fire with security forces. The operation marks a shift in the pattern of confrontations between Rio’s security forces and criminal gangs.