The death toll in the police raids on drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro have risen to 119, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Brazillian Police officers. The figure marks a sharp rise from the earlier reported toll of 64.

According to police, the operation was aimed at dismantling the Comando Vermelho, Rio’s most powerful criminal organisation. Among those killed were 115 suspected gang members and four police personnel. The raids, involving nearly 2,500 officers, were carried out across the northern neighbourhoods of Penha Complex and Alemao Complex.

Local residents and activists, however, accused the police of summary executions.

“There are people who have been executed, many of them shot in the back of the head, shot in the back. This cannot be considered public safety,” said 36-year-o

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