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Brazil police arrest alleged drug chief of Rocinha slum Brazil police arrest alleged drug chief of Rocinha slum
(about 6 hours later)
Brazilian police have arrested the alleged head of drug-trafficking in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro's biggest slum, as he was apparently trying to flee.Brazilian police have arrested the alleged head of drug-trafficking in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro's biggest slum, as he was apparently trying to flee.
Antonio Francisco Bonfim Lopes was found in the boot of a car that had left Rocinha, Brazilian media reported.Antonio Francisco Bonfim Lopes was found in the boot of a car that had left Rocinha, Brazilian media reported.
His arrest comes amid reports that police are set to move in to Rocinha.His arrest comes amid reports that police are set to move in to Rocinha.
Since 2008, police have been occupying shantytowns to oust drug gangs in a bid to make Rio safer ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.Since 2008, police have been occupying shantytowns to oust drug gangs in a bid to make Rio safer ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
The suspected drug chief, widely known as Nem, was detained when police stopped a car close to Rocinha, reports said. The suspected drug chief, widely known as Nem, was arrested after police stopped a car at a checkpoint close to Rocinha.
Hours earlier, five other suspected traffickers had been arrested, together with three police officers and two ex-policemen who were acting as their bodyguards, Brazilian newspaper Folha reported on its website. "It's a historic moment in the fight against drug-trafficking in Rio de Janeiro," said Jose Mariano Beltrame, Rio's state security secretary.
During Wednesday, some residents of Rocinha left the area, ahead of an expected security operation to crack down on the traffickers.During Wednesday, some residents of Rocinha left the area, ahead of an expected security operation to crack down on the traffickers.
Police have been setting up checkpoints at entrances to Rocinha, located in the city's south zone and close to tourist areas.Police have been setting up checkpoints at entrances to Rocinha, located in the city's south zone and close to tourist areas.
The shantytown is home to some 70,000 people, according to the last census figures, but is widely thought to have considerably more residents.The shantytown is home to some 70,000 people, according to the last census figures, but is widely thought to have considerably more residents.
To date, police have occupied some 20 favelas to drive out the dealers who controlled the areas.To date, police have occupied some 20 favelas to drive out the dealers who controlled the areas.
Special forces, known as BOPE, move in to take on the traffickers. Police then establish a permanent base in the favela with officers geared towards community policing.Special forces, known as BOPE, move in to take on the traffickers. Police then establish a permanent base in the favela with officers geared towards community policing.
Pacification has been generally welcomed in favelas, where residents have seen a drop in crime.Pacification has been generally welcomed in favelas, where residents have seen a drop in crime.
But there have been complaints about the behaviour of some of the troops and police involved, with local people reporting excessive violence or abuse of authority.But there have been complaints about the behaviour of some of the troops and police involved, with local people reporting excessive violence or abuse of authority.