Major anti-crime operation for World Cup 2014

Operation Agata will involve some 20,000 personnel from the navy, army and air force shortly before the Confederations Cup, a mini dress rehearsal for Brazil’s 2014 World Cup, gets under way next June.

Defense Minister Celso Amorim said the seventh edition of Operation Agata would be timed so as not to interfere with the anticipated large influx of tourists.

The objective of the exercise is to curb illegal trafficking in arms, drugs and goods along Brazil’s extensive borders.

Operation Agata is part of a strategic border control plan announced by President Dilma Rousseff in June 2011.

Eight continental champions will take part in the Confederations Cup tournament, to be staged in six Brazilian host cities from June 15 to 30.