Police invade Rio slum

Police in Rio have arrested more suspects as they moved into a slum where hundreds of drug traffickers are believed to be hiding.

Over 1,000 police used armored vehicles and helicopters to invade the massive hillside favela of Alemao following a wave of urban violence that has killed at least 46 people this week.

Police seized tons of drugs and weapons as they searched shacks. Residents cooperated with officers by opening their homes and many hung white sheets from their windows to demand peace.

Suspected traffickers fled to Alemao from the Vila Cruzeiro slum after police invaded it earlier this week and took control.

Police commander Lima Castro said searches in the slum could last for days, adding: "This region has lots of entrances and exits. We tried to isolate and close up these entrances and exits to show them that we were well positioned and equipped. Now it's a question of time," he said.

Police also found a large unused water pipe which they believe might have been used as an escape path.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in the city's famous Christ the Redeemer statue to pray for peace and an end to violence. The participants made a circle around the statue and raised their hands in the direction of Rio's violent north zone, where the Alemao slum is located.

A man suspected of being one of the slum's drug bosses was arrested during the operation.