Brazil raids target drugs gangs

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At least 14 people are reported to have been arrested in Brazil as part of a series of raids on drugs gangs.

The six-state operation is said to have targeted a global drug-trafficking and money-laundering cartel.

The raids come after a two-year investigation involving Brazil, the US and several European countries.

It is the latest of anti-drug gang measures introduced since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was sworn in for a second term in January.

The federal authorities are reported to be searching for another 80 suspected members of the cartel over allegations of money-laundering and drug-trafficking to Europe, Africa and the US.

'Scourge'

The states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Para and Bahia were targeted by the so-called Operation Kolibra, which involved several hundred federal police officers.

Brazilian police said the drugs came from neighbouring countries and were then sent by air or ship to Europe and the US.

Earlier this month, President Lula said the drugs gangs were a national scourge, and promised closer links between local and federal forces to tackle the problem.

Since then, thousands of federal troops have been posted along the borders of Rio de Janeiro state in an effort to clamp down on the internal movement of drugs, and drug traffickers.