Police 'reclaim' Brazilian slum
Dozens killed as security forces claim victory over drug gangs for control of the biggest shantytown in Rio de Janiero. Last Modified: 26 Nov 2010 06:05 GMT The drug gangs sprayed machine gun fire on police posts and torched vehicles during the deadly crackdown [AFP] Police say they have retaken a sprawling slum area from drug gangs in Brazil's second-largest city after a five-day assault that killed more than two dozen people. The government sent armoured military vehicles with high-calibre machine guns into Vila Cruzeiro, a major shantytown in northern Rio de Janeiro, in a concerted crackdown on drug gangs on Sunday. Police said armoured vehicles backed by helicopters, snipers and thousands of heavily armed men from the military police and navy, with another 17,500 reinforcements were "on alert" for the operation. At least 30 suspected drug traffickers were reportedly killed since the operation began on Sunday. "At this moment, Vila Cruzeiro belongs to