Brasilia: At least 18 people have been killed during a large-scale police operation against a gang of car thieves and robbers in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, media reported.
According to the G1 news portal, 16 victims are suspected criminals, one more is a police officer and another one a local female resident.
The massive operation involved 400 officers of special units, 10 armored vehicles and four helicopters. It was carried out in the Complexo do Alemao favelas in the northern part of the city.
The officers detained several senior criminals responsible for murdering security officers as well as seized multiple weapons. (UNI)
