Corrupt police rounded up in Rio

Rio de Janeiro. Photo / Thinkstock

At least 28 people, mostly police officers, were arrested in Rio de Janeiro today on suspicion of colluding with drug gangs, Reuters reported.

The Brazilian city is attempting to clean itself up before hosting the 2014 World Cup and the Olympic Games two years later.

It was one of the biggest operations against police corruption in the city, which is gradually overcoming a reputation for crime and violence.

Rio police have long been accused of corruption and of covering up their violent tactics in the city's hundreds of slum areas that are often controlled by drug traffickers.