Brazil's police take shantytowns back before Olympics

Brazilian security forces early Sunday morning performed an incident free operation allowing authorities to regain control over two “favelas,” shantytowns in Rio de Janeiro. The favelas formed part of the roadway corridor for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

For decades the areas has been controlled by drug traffickers, but were taken over by nearly 1,500 security forces or order to regain Complejo do Caju and Barreira districts under police jurisdiction. A special operations battalion called the Shock Battalion of the Military Police were aided by the local Civil Police and about 200 riflemen were used during the operation.

About 16,000 people live in Complejo de Caju, and another 6,000 live in Barreria do Vasco, which lie along the only route between Avenida Brasil. This route links the northern part of the city to the western zone and Rio’s international airport.

Security forces are going to remain in the area. According to authorizes, not a shot was fired and at least 12 people suspected of belonging to drug trafficking bands were arrested. Authorities are aiming to retake and keep control of numerous favelas to guarantee the safety of fans and Olympic participants for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.