Rio de Janeiro  - Eight alleged criminals died Friday in a police raid on the Rio de Janeiro slum of Minha Deusa, Brazilian police said.

The suspects were allegedly involved in drug traffic in the favela (slum). They were found with three rifles, one shotgun, three guns, three grenades and ammunition, as well as marijuana, cocaine and a radio transmitter.

The raid was prompted by a complaint that drug traffickers from a neighbouring slum had stolen vehicles and were trying to invade Minha Deusa.

When police officers tried to enter the slum, they were attacked by the suspects and responded the attack, the police said. A shootout took place, leaving the eight suspects dead.

Rio de Janeiro police has often been accused of using excessive violence to combat drug traffickers, leading to the deaths of several innocent people in raids on slums in recent years. (dpa)