Online Desk/

Police have launched an operation to arrest the head of a drug cartel in the Brazilian coastal city of Rio de Janeiro. At least 13 people were killed in the clashes during the operation. Police claim that all the victims are suspected criminals. In a report, this information was given by the news agency Reuters.

According to reports, the incident took place on Thursday in Salgueiro, a working-class residential area in the city of São Gonzalo, northeast of Rio de Janeiro. Police raided the northern Brazilian state of Para on reports that Leonardo Costa Araujo, the alleged leader of the drug cartel, was hiding in Salgueiro. Araujo was also killed in the clash. He was allegedly involved in the death of several police officers in Para.

According to the police, helicopters and armored vehicles were used in this operation.