Rio De Janeiro - Rio police say they have taken control of a shantytown complex long held by traffickers after invading it backed by helicopters and armoured vehicles.
The head of Rio state's military police says they encountered less resistance than expected and claimed victory over the hundreds of heavily armed gang members who were trapped inside the Alemao slum complex.
Mario Sergio Duarte said Sunday “we won. We brought freedom to the residents of Alemao.”
Officers on the ground were saying they had not completely taken over the complex, however, and that gunmen were still fighting back. The officers did not want to identify themselves because there are not authorise to speak to the media. - AP