Police said Sunday they were in full control of Rio's largest favela, or shantytown, which had been occupied by drug traffickers for 30 years, local televison reported.

"At 6:19 am (0819 GMT), the police confirmed that the entire favela was taken," Globo television said.

Special forces police backed by navy armored vehicles and by two low-flying helicopters began moving into the Rochina shantytown, home to 120,000 people, at dawn.

They simultaneously assaulted the neighboring Vidigal favela.

In the streets, a few women were in tears and most of the residents did not want to talk to the press.

The long anticipated operation in a city that has one of the highest murder rates in the country is part of an official campaign since 2008 to restore security in Rio beforer the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, which Brazil will host.