DATE=2/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BRAZIL-DRUGS-ANGOLA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258953
BYLINE=BILL RODGERS
DATELINE=RIO DE JANEIRO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Police in Rio de Janeiro have launched a major
operation to crack down on drug-related violence in a
large slum area of the city, and to investigate
reports that Angolan mercenaries are training drug
dealers in military tactics. From Rio de Janeiro, V-
O-A's Bill Rodgers reports.
TEXT: A network of Rio de Janeiro slums called
Complexo da Mare was reported quiet but tense Tuesday
following a massive police operation Monday to crack
down on drug-related violence. Some 800 heavily-armed
police -- supported by helicopters -- descended on the
complex of 15 slums in the late afternoon, and began
searching for suspected drug traffickers. One
policeman was killed in a shootout.
The action came after a recent drug war in the area
left six people dead and also follows reports that
Angolan mercenaries have been providing military
training to the drug lords and their gunmen.
According to these unverified reports, the training
takes place in an isolated area near Rio de Janeiro,
and consists of military tactics and target practice
with automatic weapons.
The Complexo da Mare, which has some 250-thousand
residents, is home to a large community of Angolan
immigrants. Police on Monday detained more than 60
Angolans for questioning about their immigration
status, but only two were held for further
investigation after they could not produce their
identity documents.
Despite the vast scale of the police operation, no
drugs or weapons were found in the Complexo da Mare
slums -- and authorities have found no evidence
linking any Angolans to mercenary activities.
Meanwhile, the Angolan government has denied that any
Angolans may be working as mercenaries in the pay of
Brazilian drug gangs. (Signed)
NEB/WFR/ENE/gm
08-Feb-2000 14:18 PM EDT (08-Feb-2000 1918 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
