Rio beefs up Carnival security after outbreak of drug violence

Authorities beefed up security in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday for the Carnival bash after a wave of violence caused by rival drug-trafficking gangs.

Gov. Luiz Fernando Pezao said security forces will total more than

17,000 statewide each day of the festival. That includes 2,000 agents who had been scheduled to be off duty but will now work.

Last year, Rio deployed almost

12,000 policemen and 9,000 members of the armed forces for Carnival.

This year’s party starts Friday and will end Tuesday.