Some 300 police officers descended on Rio de Janeiro's largest slum on Thursday, clashing with criminal gangs and causing panic among residents, Brazilian media reported, according to dpa. Several shootings took place across the Rocinha neighbourhood, which is home to more than 60,000 residents and nestled between two wealthy areas of southern Rio. One of the clashes took place outside a school where classes had to be called off. Students ran to their homes for protection. Rio's military police said four alleged gang members were arrested and around 20 stolen motorcycles were confiscated. The ongoing operation in Rocinha - supported by a helicopter and several armoured vehicles - is intended to enforce arrest warrants, confiscate weapons and curb drug trafficking and vehicle theft, police said. Police have launched a series of raids across Rio's slums - known as favelas - in the past year in an effort to curb organized crime in the region.
