Militias - Paramilitary Groups in Rio

Claudio Ferraz, Chief of Rio Police's Organized Crime Unit (DRACO) in his office in Rio de Janeiro, June 6, 2008. Ferraz is investigating the torture of undercover journalists by a paramilitary group, known as "militias," in a Rio slum in May. Militias have taken over some slums from drug traffickers, rule with an iron hand, and charge a "toll" for many basic services from cooking gas, cable TV and transport. Ferraz compared the situation to the film "Gangs of New York." (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

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Claudio Ferraz, Chief of Rio Police's Organized Crime Unit (DRACO) in his office in Rio de Janeiro, June 6, 2008. Ferraz is investigating the torture of undercover journalists by a paramilitary group, known as "militias," in a Rio slum in May. Militias have taken over some slums from drug traffickers, rule with an iron hand, and charge a "toll" for many basic services from cooking gas, cable TV and transport. Ferraz compared the situation to the film "Gangs of New York." (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

rio brazil slum favela militia milicia torture o dia drug traffic