Hundreds of police were involved in a raid on a notorious downtown area of Sao Paulo which has been dubbed ‘crackland’ on Sunday, May 21.

Brazilian newspaper Globo reported around 40 people were arrested in the raid. Sao Paulo Mayor Joao Doria said that the crackdown marked the start of the city’s latest attempt to redevelop the downtown area, which has become a hub of the drug trade dubbed ‘cracolandia’ by locals.

Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin said around 3,000 places in rehab centres across the state would be made available for drug addicts.

The police officers faced resistance from residents of the area, who vandalized vehicles and looted shops. Police responded with stun grenades, O Estado de S. Paulo reported.

Video from the mayor’s office shows the cleanup operation following the raid.