The police said they planned the raids for months and expected a high death toll. The city will host global leaders next week at the C40 climate summit.

At least 121 people were killed in Brazil in the deadliest police operation targeting organized crime and drug trafficking in Rio de Janeiro's history, Brazil’s military police told ABC News on Wednesday.

The death toll in a massive police raid on a notorious drug gang in Rio de Janeiro rose Wednesday to 119 killed, including four policemen, Brazilian police said. The previous toll given by authorities was 60 suspected gang members and four policemen,

The raid by 2,500 police and soldiers in helicopters, armored vehicles and on foot left at least 64 people dead, including 60 suspected gang members and four policemen, according to state Gov. Claudio Castro and police.

The police operation was one of the most violent in Brazil's recent history, with human rights organizations calling for investigations into the deaths.

About 2,500 Brazilian police and soldiers have launched a massive raid on a criminal gang in Rio de Janeiro and arrested 80 suspects while sparking shootouts that left at least 10 people dead

Helicopters, armored vehicles and ground forces swept through neighborhoods as gunfire echoed and schools were forced to close.

Several civil society groups and public security experts criticized the heavy casualties of the military-style raid.