Brazil's Lula hails Rio police operation

The police say they are back in Complexo do Alemao to stay

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    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has praised a police and military operation to take control of a drug traffickers' stronghold in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

President Lula said the occupation of the Complexo do Alemao favela was just the start of a campaign to rid Rio of drugs gangs.

"We will win this war," he said.

    Some 2,600 police and paratroopers moved into the favela on Sunday, backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters.
    President Lula said the federal government had given Rio de Janeiro state authorities everything they asked for to support the operation.

"I think this operation is proving a success. Obviously it is not over yet, it has only just begun", he said.
"The important thing is we have taken the first step. We went in, we are inside Complexo do Alemao".
President Lula added that he had already been planning to visit the favela, and would now come with "much more pleasure".

Door-to-door

    The Complexo do Alemao has been a stronghold of drugs traffickers and virtual no-go area for police for decades.
    But when the security forces moved in on Sunday they met less resistance than expected.
They seized weapons and large quantities of drugs, including more than 30 tonnes of marijuana and 200kg (440lb) of cocaine.
    More than 40 suspects were arrested, including several alleged leaders of the drugs gangs. 

   We expect the police to continue the brillant job that has been done so far and hope that this can lead Brazil to a brighter future.