In the early hours of Monday members of Brazil's armed forces, police and national force simultaneously entered seven of Rio de Janeiro's largest favelas complexes, with arrest orders for drug traffickers and arms dealers. Among the communities searched by security forces are Jacarezinho and Manguinhos
As in previous operations by the Armed Forces in Rio, soldiers remained outside the communities, giving support to military and civil police officers who were entering the favelas.
As the operation unfolded an Army soldier was arrested as was suspected of leaking information to criminals in the communities where the operation is being carried out, according to officials at the East Military Command. Officials said that the individual was already being monitored and suspected of having ties to the drug cartels.