At least 64 people dead in war-like scenes

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 29 (AFP): Bodies piled up in poor neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday as police launched their biggest ever raids on the city's drug traffickers, leaving at least 64 people dead in war-like scenes.

As many as 2,500 heavily armed officers, backed by armored vehicles, helicopters and drones took part in the operation targeting Brazil's main drug-trafficking gang in two poor neighborhoods, or favelas, in northern Rio.

Gunfire rang out in the area near Rio's international airport, and smoke billowed from several fires on Tuesday afternoon, several hours after the raids started.

Residents scrambled for cover and shops closed their doors amid police claims that the gangs were using drones to fight back.

State Governor Claudio Castro described the operation in the Complexo da Penha and Complexo do Alemao favelas as the largest in the state's history.

The central government said the raids aimed to stop a gang called Comando Vermelho (Red Command) from expanding. Castro reported a death toll of 60 suspected gang members. A source from his administration told.