14 October 2012 Last updated at 16:42

In pictures: Brazil favela raids

A policeman takes up position at the Jacarezinho slum during an operation to install Peacekeeping Unit riot police in Rio de Janeiro October 14, 2012.

Hundreds of Brazilian police officers have moved into two of Rio De Janeiro's most notorious slums, Jacarezinho and Manguinhos, to drive out drug lords and install a police presence.

Brazilian naval soldier in an armoured vehicle patrols the Manguinhos slum as a police helicopter flies above during a peacekeeping operation in Rio de Janeiro October 14, 2012.

Up to 2,000 police and commandos from the navy took part in the "pacification" operation, backed by helicopters and armoured vehicles.

Drug addicts are seen during an operation to install a Pacifying Police Unit at Jacarezinho slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday Oct. 14, 2012.

These favelas are no-go areas in Rio and are known as centres for drug addiction and the trafficking of crack cocaine.

A policeman sorts drugs found at the Jacarezinho slum during a peacekeeping operation in Rio de Janeiro October 14, 2012.

Brazil is the world's largest consumer of crack cocaine, according to a study released last month by the Sao Paulo Federal University.

Policemen patrol the Manguinhos slum during an operation to install the Peacekeeping Unit (UPP) riot police in Rio de Janeiro October 14, 2012

The government has been trying to clean up shanty towns and reduce crime ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Police officers check a man during an operation to install a Pacifying Police Unit at Jacarezinho slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday Oct. 14, 2012

The raids are part of a policy known as "pacification", which was adopted in recent years to help the state establish a more permanent police presence in the favelas.

A Brazilian Navy armoured vehicle patrols the Manguinhos slum during a peacekeeping operation in Rio de Janeiro October 14, 2012

The policy has been praised for establishing state control in areas that were previously controlled by armed drug traffickers, but there have also been complaints about police violence and corruption.

Latin America & Caribbean

In pictures: Brazil favela raids

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