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Brazil Police, Military Invade Rio's Drug Gang Haven

   VOA News 28 November 2010
   Policemen  move inside the Complexo do Alemao slum during an operation
   against drug traffickers at in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 28 Nov 2010

Photo: AP

   Policemen  move inside the Complexo do Alemao slum during an operation
   against drug traffickers at in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 28 Nov 2010

   Soldiers  and  police  in  Rio  de  Janeiro  have  started  invading a
   sprawling  city slum after demanding that drug traffickers in the area
   surrender.
   More  than  2,000  police and military personnel moved into the Alemao
   slum  complex  Sunday  morning, with low-flying helicopters supporting
   their efforts.
   TV  footage showed the security force exchanging gunfire with the drug
   gang members who have long ruled the area.
   Authorities  said  Saturday  they  have designated a street zone where
   traffickers  can turn themselves in by walking in with their guns held
   above their heads.
   Brazilian  authorities  say  they  are  attempting  to pacify the city
   before it hosts the finals of the 2014 World Cup and the Olympic Games
   of 2016.
   Drug  gangs  have  responded  to the campaign with a wave of violence,
   firing on police and setting fire to more than 100 cars and buses over
   last week.  At least 35 people have died in the violence.
   

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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