Dozens of individuals have been killed in clashes in Brazil as police perform raids to crack down on prison gangs and drug traffickers.

At least 44 individuals have reportedly died in complete after violent scenes within the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo state and Bahia state.

In Rio, police stated 9 individuals misplaced their lives throughout a raid the place officers have been attacked by armed males within the Penha slums complicated.

Among these killed have been "Fiel" and "Du Leme", two alleged gang leaders within the impoverished Juramento and Chatuba favelas.

Officers stated they seized seven rifles, ammunition and grenades from the suspects.

Police spokesperson Colonel Marco Andrade stated: "Data from the intelligence sector indicated that a meeting was taking place between leaders of the criminal faction in the region."

Meanwhile, at the very least 16 individuals died in clashes between officers and suspects within the Brazilian coastal cities of Guaruja and Santos in Sao Paulo state.

The clashes have been sparked final Friday when a police officer, Patrick Bastos Reis, was shot lifeless whereas on patrol the day earlier than in Guaruja.

Read extra:Inside Rio's favelasInnocent people caught up in Brazil's crackdown on gangs

At least 58 individuals have been arrested throughout 5 days of Operation Shield.

Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas stated police have been concentrating on widespread organised crime within the area.

But native authorities and human rights teams have stated they believe police used extreme pressure within the raids.

Nineteen suspects have additionally reportedly been killed since Friday in clashes between police and gang members within the northeastern state of Bahia.