Indeed, three days after the police raised the Brazilian flag over Complexo do Alemão to show it controlled the area, fire guns were again heard on 1 December. Also, on the same day, a bus was set alight by bandits in São Gonçalo, a neighbourhood close to Complexo do Alemão.
About 100 people were arrested in the operation and the police seized about 10 kilos of drugs, mostly marijuana. But very little money was taken according to official reports from the police and the military, despite initial claims that an amount equivalent to almost US$200,000 in cash had been taken from criminals. Also, official reports say 135 weapons - mostly old and of low calibre - were seized, although the press, citing claims from police and military troops involved in the operation, reported that several high-calibre weapons had been taken. All these claims suggest the operation was marred by corruption. Significantly, no drug chief was among the 100 people arrested during the operation and reports now suggest that some policemen accepted bribes to let them escape.
Residents in the Complexo do Alemão also claim that the police and the military were heavy-handed, breaking in and vandalising homes and legitimate businesses as corrupt troops engaged on a “treasure hunt" in the favela. Authorities said the allegations would be thoroughly investigated and that tough measures would be taken if the claims were found to be true.
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