RIO DE JANEIRO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five suspected criminals were killed and six others arrested Tuesday during a military police operation against drug trafficking in northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities said.

The operation took place in the Complexo do Chapadao area and aimed to remove barricades set up by criminal groups to block access by security forces, recover stolen vehicles and combat drug trafficking.

Police officers seized weapons, drugs and vehicles used by the suspects, according to reports.

The clashes caused tension among residents and disrupted traffic in parts of the city's northern area.

Police operations in Rio's communities are frequent amid ongoing confrontations between drug-trafficking groups and state security forces. ■