Sao Paulo, July 22 (TIWN) At least 18 persons were killed during a police raid targeting a crime group at the Almao favelas in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, police reported.

Rio authorities said 16 suspected criminals were killed in confrontations with police in Complexo do Alemao favela, or low-income community, along with a police officer and an woman. The raid targeted a criminal group that stole cars and robbed banks, and invaded nearby neighborhoods.