Peruvian cops dress up as World Cup mascots to catch suspected drug dealer off guard | Today’s news
Police in Peru have attracted international attention after sending officers dressed as the official mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to arrest a suspected drug dealer in the capital, Lima.
Police in Peru dress up as World Cup mascots to catch a drug dealer
The unusual operation took place during the opening stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and involved members of Peru’s Green Squadron, a special police unit known for using creative disguises during undercover missions. Officers dressed as Clutch, a bald eagle representing the United States, and Maple, a moose representing Canada, approached the suspect before conducting a coordinated raid.
Authorities said the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Carlos Cabrera, was believed to be an avid soccer fan caught up in the excitement of the World Cup. Investigators concluded that the use of tournament-themed costumes would allow officers to get to him without arousing suspicion.
“Thanks to the intelligence work, we realized that this person was a die-hard soccer fan and was caught up in World Cup fever,” said Colonel Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron.
“That’s why we decided to disguise the staff as World Cup mascots so we could approach him without arousing suspicion and detain him.”
A video released by Peruvian police shows officers in mascots arriving at the property before smashing the gate with a metal sledgehammer alongside fellow police officers. The footage then shows the arrest operation as police move into the residence and detain the suspect.
Authorities said 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm were seized in the raid. Under Peruvian law, cocaine-based micro-trafficking carries a prison sentence of between three and seven years.
The strategy has become something of a trademark for the unit, with officials arguing that elaborate disguises help officers blend into public spaces and catch suspects off guard.
The latest operation attracted particular attention because Peru did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, police successfully used the football fever surrounding the tournament to make arrests.
Footage of the raid has since gone viral online, turning the mascot’s costumes into an unlikely symbol of one of the most unusual stories off the field.
