🔗 Share this article A minimum of 64 Dead in Rio de Janeiro's Biggest Law Enforcement Operation on Criminal Groups Residents described the region to a battlefield after the mission At least 64 individuals died in a law enforcement action against the criminal organization Comando Vermelho in Rio de Janeiro's northern districts - the largest and deadliest raid in the region's past. Four security agents lost their lives during Operation Containment in the neighborhoods of Alemão and Penha, state officials stated. In excess of 80 individuals were taken into custody. Some 2,500 law enforcement officers participated in the police raid Fierce clashes broke out when around 2,500 police forces entered the area on Tuesday morning. The Red Command reacted using armed resistance, setting fire to barriers and launching explosives via unmanned aircraft, officials said. The United Nations human rights body expressed being "shocked" by the police operation, urging "immediate and thorough inquiries". Raid Aftermath The informal settlements close to Rio's airport is seen as the central command of a major criminal organizations. State officials stated no less than 50 of the deceased were "classified by law enforcement as potential lawbreakers". Numerous individuals were hurt, including non-combatants affected by the violence. Local Reaction Locals have likened the hillside area - home to about 300,000 people - to a "war zone" since the operation began. Roads remain closed throughout the region. Criminal Expansion The Red Command group have been expanding their influence in the area, growing illegal substance trade paths and power in the informal settlements. Security forces said over 200kg (441lb) of drugs were seized in the mission, in addition to multiple guns. Mission Context The joint operation by various security forces comes after a twelve-month inquiry. Dozens of the suspects are believed to be participants in an organization from the Brazilian state who are at the moment taking refuge in the city. Larger Framework Large-scale police operations are frequent in the South American nation before significant global gatherings in the South American nation. The UN climate summit COP30 is scheduled in the northern urban center in the eleventh month.