RIO DE JANEIRO — Four Brazilian military police officers were transferred from operational duty to administrative activities as part of an investigation into their involvement in a deadly raid, to allow a military police internal affairs investigation.

The raid took place in the Prazeres favela in central Rio de Janeiro near the Santa Teresa neighborhood. The operation targeted the communities of Prazeres, Fallet, Fogueteiro, Coroa, Escondidinho, and Paula Ramos in Rio de Janeiro with approximately 150 military police officers participating.

The raid resulted in the death of Cláudio Augusto dos Santos, a suspected drug trafficking leader in the Red Command crime group. The raid resulted in the death of six other suspected drug traffickers. The raid resulted in the death of one resident.

A preliminary analysis of the raid found that body cameras were used improperly during the operation. Authorities did not elaborate on what constituted the improper use of body cameras or whether cameras were switched off during the raid.

Suspected associates of the Red Command crime group set fire to a bus in retaliation for the raid. Suspected associates of the Red Command crime group blocked roads in retaliation for the raid. Five people were arrested for acts of vandalism following the retaliatory actions.

A raid against the Red Command crime group last year in the Penha and Complexo de Alemao favelas resulted in more than 120 deaths. The raid last year in the Penha and Complexo de Alemao favelas was the deadliest in Rio de Janeiro's history. The death toll from last year's raid led to protests and calls for Governor Cláudio Castro's resignation.

The Red Command crime group has more than doubled its presence since 2023.