RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian military on Tuesday arrested at least 70 people in a massive dragnet on drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro, local officials said.

The arrests were made a day after two soldiers were shot dead by drug dealers during an anti-crime sweep in the slum area of northern Rio de Janeiro, where drug-related violence spiked in the last few months.

A total of 4,230 soldiers took part in the operation, during which more than 7,300 individuals were stopped and searched in the favelas of Mare, Alemao and Penha, considered major strongholds for drug dealers, according to the eastern military command.

In Monday's sweep, seven people were killed, including two soldiers, while a third soldier was injured, according to officials.

During the operation, five hostages being held by drug dealers were freed, according to the military command, and numerous weapons were confiscated along with 554 kg of marijuana.