Operation on drug gang in Brazil: 21 dead

21 people lost their lives in the operation organized by the police against the drug gang in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the operation organized by the police in the Vila Cruzeiro slum (favela) in the north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to capture the drug gang leader, there was a clash between the gang members and the security forces.

Security forces reported that the operation was launched after receiving intelligence that the leader of the largest criminal gang Comando Vermelho in the city of Rio de Janeiro was hiding in the area. In the operation that started around 04:00 local time, the police teams raided the region with air support. As gang members opened fire on security forces, clashes erupted, causing widespread panic among the residents of the area.

In the statement made by the Brazilian Military Police, it was reported that 21 people lost their lives in the armed clashes, while 11 of those who lost their lives were determined to be gang members. It was stated that the identification works of the other people who lost their lives are still continuing and a 41-year-old woman from the region also lost her life in the armed clashes.

While many points in the region were closed to entry and exit due to the operation, education was suspended in 13 schools. Police teams have confiscated many long-barreled guns, pistols, grenades, motorcycles, cars and some drugs belonging to gang members so far.