Rio police arrest 52 cops on drug crime charges

Andre Drumond, a state police commander, said the police officers that were arrested charged between 2,000 reais ($1,041) and 3,900 reais ($1,560) a week from drug gangs in three shantytowns in Duque de Caxias. In return, police would avoid doing raids in the region and would warn gangs of police plans.

As many as 15 suspected drug traffickers were arrested and let go because of the agreement they had with the police taken into custody on Monday, Drumond said.

"We are investigating other crimes committed by these police officers, like homicides, drug and arms trafficking, and robbery of truck cargo," Drumond said.