Federal police in Brazil said they have found portable air defense systems among the arsenal of weaponry seized in the slums in northern outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.
The weapons cache belonged to three drug dealers arrested on Thursday during a special police sweep in the area.
The slums in Rio are tightly controlled by well-organized drug gangs, which boast their own security services and networks of informers.
The city is well-known for its high rates of violent crimes related to drug trade and alcoholism.
Over 40 people, including three police officers, were killed in gun battles between police and drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro in October last year. During the fighting, a police helicopter was downed, killing two people on board and seriously injuring another two.
Following bloody shootouts, Brazilian authorities have pledged to crack down on criminals and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced he had instructed the government to allocate about $60 million for this task.
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 26 (RIA Novosti)
