Brazilian police say at least eight alleged drug traffickers were killed during a raid in a Rio de Janeiro shantytown.

A Rio de Janeiro state police spokeswoman says officers were met by gunfire when they arrived at the Minha Deusa slum.

The spokeswoman said Friday that agents seized drugs, rifles, grenades and ammunition. She declined to be identified in line with standard departmental policy.

Rio is one of the world’s most violent cities and the site of frequent shootouts between police and drug gangs.