Thousands of police storm Brazilian favelas during crackdown on drug gangs ahead of 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics
- More than 1,000 officers stormed favelas in Rio de Janeiro this morning
- Aim to regain control of the poor towns from drug gangs and criminals
- Comes just days after 10 Brazilian police officers were charged with the torture and murder of bricklayer Amarildo de Souza
- The city is set to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games
By SOPHIE JANE EVANS PUBLISHED: 19:33 GMT, 6 October 2013 | UPDATED: 06:56 GMT, 7 October 2013
Clad in heavy boots, bullet-proof vests and armed with guns, more than 1,000 Brazilian police swooped on slum neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. The units stormed the favelas at the crack of dawn in an ongoing bid to regain control of the poor hillside towns from drug gangs and violent criminals. The latest attempt at pacification comes just days after 10 Brazilian police officers were charged with torturing and murdering bricklayer Amarildo de Souza, who lived in the city's largest favela Rocinha.
Action: More than 1,000 Brazilian police officers swooped into slum neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro at the crack of dawn this morning
Prepared: Police officers jump out of an armoured vehicle during 'peace' operations in the city
Pacification: The units stormed the favelas in an ongoing bid to regain control of the poor hillside towns from drug gangs and violent crime
Controversial: The latest attempt at pacification comes just days after 10 Brazilian police officers were charged with torturing and murdering bricklayer Amarildo de Souza
Today's movement saw officers from so-called Police Pacification Units (UPP) pour into a dozen slums - in the hope of driving out drug traffickers and other criminals.
They hope to regain state control of the favelas ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
Backed by marines in armored vehicles, the units swept through the towns, before conducting house-to-house searches and questioning suspects.
They were reportedly met with no resistance from locals.
Poised: An armed soldier takes position on a rooftop in the favela do Lins
Battle: The Police Pacification Units (UPP) hope to regain state control of the favelas ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games
Thorough: The units swept through the favelas, before conducting house-to-house searches and questioning suspects
Rio de Janeiro's governor Sergio Cabral said: 'It is one more step in the direction of peace,' while security chief Jose Mariano added: 'That population has been clamouring for this for a long time.' The UUP's tactics have come under scrutiny after the 10 arrests made earlier this week. De Souza's disappearance in July sparked protests by locals, who demanded that authorities explain what had happened to him. Although his body is yet to be found, investigators believe he was tortured to death by members of a pacification unit who were seen on a surveillance tape taking him into custody.
Search: Today's movement saw police officers pour into a dozen slums - in the hope of driving out drug traffickers and other criminals
Operation: A military police helicopter hovers over the Lins de Vasconcelos favela during the controversial mission
Support: The police units were backed by armoured military trucks
Among those indicted is the UPP's commander in Rocinha, Edson dos Santos. Police inspector Ellen Souto, who is heading the police probe into the death, said 22 other people have also come forward claiming they were tortured with electric shocks and hot wax.The city's governor, who is under attack over the police scandal, has defended the pacification units.
On guard: Police officers have their guns at they attempt to pacify the poor shanty towns
Contrast: This religious symbol contrasts with the harsh reality of a crime-ridden favela in the city
'I lament the conduct of those police officers, which was abominable, but without a doubt it will not be a mark against the UPP,' said Mr Cabral.'How many crimes went unpunished before the police's arrival in the hillsides? 'He added that investigations into incidents like De Souza's disappearance were only possible when communities were pacified.
Clad in heavy boots, bullet-proof vests and armed with guns, more than 1,000 Brazilian police swooped on slum neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. The units stormed the favelas at the crack of dawn in an ongoing bid to regain control of the poor hillside towns from drug gangs and violent criminals. The latest attempt at pacification comes just days after 10 Brazilian police officers were charged with torturing and murdering bricklayer Amarildo de Souza, who lived in the city's largest favela Rocinha.
Action: More than 1,000 Brazilian police officers swooped into slum neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro at the crack of dawn this morning
Prepared: Police officers jump out of an armoured vehicle during 'peace' operations in the city
Pacification: The units stormed the favelas in an ongoing bid to regain control of the poor hillside towns from drug gangs and violent crime
Controversial: The latest attempt at pacification comes just days after 10 Brazilian police officers were charged with torturing and murdering bricklayer Amarildo de Souza
Today's movement saw officers from so-called Police Pacification Units (UPP) pour into a dozen slums - in the hope of driving out drug traffickers and other criminals.
They hope to regain state control of the favelas ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.
Backed by marines in armored vehicles, the units swept through the towns, before conducting house-to-house searches and questioning suspects.
They were reportedly met with no resistance from locals.
Poised: An armed soldier takes position on a rooftop in the favela do Lins
Battle: The Police Pacification Units (UPP) hope to regain state control of the favelas ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games
Thorough: The units swept through the favelas, before conducting house-to-house searches and questioning suspects
Rio de Janeiro's governor Sergio Cabral said: 'It is one more step in the direction of peace,' while security chief Jose Mariano added: 'That population has been clamouring for this for a long time.' The UUP's tactics have come under scrutiny after the 10 arrests made earlier this week. De Souza's disappearance in July sparked protests by locals, who demanded that authorities explain what had happened to him. Although his body is yet to be found, investigators believe he was tortured to death by members of a pacification unit who were seen on a surveillance tape taking him into custody.
Search: Today's movement saw police officers pour into a dozen slums - in the hope of driving out drug traffickers and other criminals
Operation: A military police helicopter hovers over the Lins de Vasconcelos favela during the controversial mission
Support: The police units were backed by armoured military trucks
Among those indicted is the UPP's commander in Rocinha, Edson dos Santos. Police inspector Ellen Souto, who is heading the police probe into the death, said 22 other people have also come forward claiming they were tortured with electric shocks and hot wax.The city's governor, who is under attack over the police scandal, has defended the pacification units.
On guard: Police officers have their guns at they attempt to pacify the poor shanty towns
Contrast: This religious symbol contrasts with the harsh reality of a crime-ridden favela in the city
'I lament the conduct of those police officers, which was abominable, but without a doubt it will not be a mark against the UPP,' said Mr Cabral.'How many crimes went unpunished before the police's arrival in the hillsides? 'He added that investigations into incidents like De Souza's disappearance were only possible when communities were pacified.
