Rio vigilantes use satellite photos in slum raids

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Feb 26 (Reuters) Heavily armed vigilante groups of off-duty police officers and soldiers use satellite images and informants to invade Rio de Janeiro slums controlled by drug gangs, a newspaper reported.

Folha de S Paulo daily yesterday quoted an officer and leader of one such group as saying a raid to kick out drug traffickers costs around 2,000 dollar in logistics and ammunition for a group of about 40 vigilantes. The man was identified only as Joao Carlos. Such illegal groups are known as militias in Rio.

The rise of militias in the crime-ridden city provoked a wave of violence in December that killed 19 people. Drug gangs set fire to buses and attacked police posts, apparently in retaliation for frequent police support of such groups.

A police officer suspected of leading a vigilante group was killed Thursday, among more than 20 who have died this month in clashes between police, drug gangs and militias.

''We enter always with informants ... . In one day, we hit all the spots. When we see there are no low-lifes left, we occupy the slum,'' Joao Carlos told Folha, at a community center of the Palmeirinha slum.

He was sitting before a Google Earth satellite image with marks on it pointing to sting operations, the newspaper said.

Nobody is paid to take part in a raid, but after a group takes over some illegal businesses, such as pirate cable television and electricity connections, van and ''mototaxi'' transport services, the vigilantes start receiving salaries for patrolling the area on foot or by car.

Security officials say militias charge slum dwellers for protection -- which is a criminal offense -- in nearly 100 shanty towns they now control. Rio Gov. Sergio Cabral, who took office in January, said he would not tolerate militias.

The vigilante leader denied demanding protection fees from residents and businesses.

Joao Carlos told Folha he would not fight against police and suggested militias be legalized as security firms.

''I'm afraid of being arrested, but I'm doing good,'' he said.

''If I leave this community it will be a bloodbath.'' REUTERS SHB SSC1209