Footage from Brazil in 2009, recorded by a local news station, captures the moment a police helicopter was shot down by criminal gangs during a large-scale operation in a favela slum. Both pilots reportedly died in the crash.

Brazil continues to host an extremely high violent and non-violent crime rate and is in the top 20 nations for intentional homicide rates. The country is a main leg of the international drug routes with emphasis on trafficking arms, cocaine, and crack. The illicit activity isn't unique to the favelas, however, as the various local and national governments are riddled with corruption and embezzlement.