At least 18 people were killed in a police raid targeting organized crime groups in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, local Brazilian police said Thursday.

A law enforcement officer and a woman who lived in the area were among the 18 people who died in the Complexo do Alemao slum, while the 16 others are believed to be members of organized crime groups, a police spokesman told a press conference.

Police often carry out raids in Rio's teeming slums in a bid to fight drug trafficking.

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