At least 8 dead during police anti-drug operation in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro

At least eight people were killed on Wednesday during a police anti-drug operation in several Rio de Janeiro favelas in Brazil, followed by retaliatory bus fires and street blockades by armed groups, the Military Police said.



The early morning operation targeted members of the Comando Vermelho criminal group to execute search and arrest warrants related to vehicle theft and drug trafficking in the favelas of Prazeres, Fallet, Coroa, Escondidinhos and Paula Ramos.



Officers came under fire upon entering the areas, triggering a shootout in which Claudio Augusto dos Santos, drug kingpin of the Prazeres favela known as "Jilo dos Prazeres," was killed, along with six other alleged traffickers.



An eighth victim, a resident, was reportedly taken hostage along with his wife and killed during the confrontation.



In response to the death of their leader, criminals set multiple buses on fire and blocked streets in central Rio.