Four dead in renewed clashes between drug gangs, police in Rio

Oct 21, 2009, 23:49 GMT

   Rio de Janeiro - At least four alleged criminals were killed in clashes with police Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, bringing to 29 the total number of dead in the city in drug-related clashes since Saturday.

Brazil's militarized police said Wednesday that four suspects had died overnight in raids in which police sought to arrest those responsible for Saturday's serious violence.

   Some members of the Comando Vermelho gang from the favela, or slum, Morro Sao Joao invaded the rival Morro dos Macacos early Saturday, to take lucrative drug business there from the gang Amigos dos Amigos. Shooting escalated into a real battle.

   When a police helicopter carrying six officers was sent to the area Saturday, it was brought down. Two officers died immediately when the aircraft exploded, a third died Monday of the injuries he had suffered, and another was said to be in serious condition.

   At least three local civilians unrelated to the drug trade were killed in crossfire, along with many alleged criminals.

   Buses, cars and tyres were set on fire in several slums.

   The Morro dos Macacos is only a few kilometres away from the Maracana stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies are set to be held in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics.

Early Wednesday, many residents of Sao Joao panicked over a rumour that criminals from Morro dos Macacos were planning to invade their neighbourhood. Hundreds of people left their homes and spent the night on the streets.

Police said Wednesday, however that there was no evidence of plans for such an invasion.

'The police is alert to contain any kind of action,' said spokesman Oderley Santos.

   According to official reports, 2,000 police officers had taken part in recent raids on favelas in northern Rio. Around 30 people had been arrested, and the authorities had seized drugs, weapons and ammunition.

However, police were yet to locate the drug bosses considered responsible for the weekend invasion attempt of Morro dos Macacos and for bringing down the police helicopter.