The attacks and fire-bombings sweeping Brazil's northeastern state of Ceara continued unabated Sunday despite the deployment of at least 300 members the elite, military-style National Police Force to help bring an end to the violence. The state's public security department said that buses and cars were torched and gas stations were attacked in Fortaleza, the capital, and in at least six other cities. Earlier, he praised the move, saying "the people of Ceara need help at this moment." The deployment was ordered by Brazil's federal Justice and Public Security Ministry, now led by popular former anti-corruption judge Sergio Moro, at the request of Ceara Gov. While legal gun ownership is restricted, drug traffickers and other criminal groups are often heavily armed with automatic weapons.

Source: ABC News January 06, 2019 17:54 UTC