These early days of th pacification process have been referred to as 'the bastions of drug trafficking' in 2010. The book describes in detailhow the events took place - According to Colone Carlos Alberto de Lima the perimeters were invaded and occupied within 11 hours. During this time a large number of the traffickers fled through the forests and symbolically a Brazilian flag was erected atop the main favela hill Morro do Alemăo.
He details two outbreaks which devastated the soldiers and caused serious detriment to the mission at hand - the widespread contraction of hepatitis and dengue. These illnesses left a significant swathe of the army population unwell and meant that senior officials had to rethink community hygiene logistics.
He further describes a period of crisis in which the city experienced perpetual arson attacks by traffickers, details how partnerships were formed between military strategists and religious leaders, and describes the aggressively explosive reaction to the visit of Prince Harry of Britain.
