Peruvian Police Use World Cup Mascots to Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer

Two police officers in Peru disguised as World Cup mascots helped capture a suspected drug dealer in Lima. This operation is part of a series of creative law enforcement strategies employed in the country.

Clever Disguise in Law Enforcement

Colonel Carlos Alcántara, who leads the Green Squadron known for combating crime, stated that the officers successfully apprehended Carlos Cabrera, aged 48, on Thursday. The arrest took place during the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

“Thanks to intelligence work, we realized that this person was a diehard football fan and was caught up in World Cup fever,” Alcántara explained to The Associated Press. “Therefore, we decided to disguise personnel as World Cup mascots so we could approach him without raising suspicion and apprehend him.”

The undercover officers, dressed as mascots, used a metal sledgehammer to break down a door. This allowed them and their colleagues to enter the premises. The police shared a video of the raid on social media, showing officers collecting evidence and detaining the suspect.

Operation Details

During the operation, police discovered 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm. In Peru, possessing between 5 to 50 grams of cocaine base can lead to a prison sentence of three to seven years.

For this World Cup, Clutch represents the United States as a bald eagle, while Maple represents Canada as a moose. Mexico is symbolized by a jaguar named Zayu.

Previous Disguises

Peruvian police have previously used disguises of fictional characters like the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, Wolverine, and even Santa Claus. These costumes allow officers to approach suspects without causing alarm.

In 2024, an officer in a bear costume, armed with balloons and gifts, coaxed a female drug suspect from her home on the eve of Valentine’s Day.