Peruvian Police Use Creative Costumes to Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer

On June 13, 2026, two undercover police officers from Peru disguised themselves as World Cup mascots, Clutch and Maple, to apprehend a suspected drug dealer in Lima. The operation forms part of a series of law enforcement initiatives using creative disguises to catch criminals.

Col. Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron, a unit focused on combating common crime, announced the arrest of Carlos Cabrera, 48. With the World Cup fever gripping the nation, police realized Cabrera’s deep interest in the tournament. This insight prompted them to deploy officers in mascot costumes to discreetly approach and detain him during the World Cup’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

The operation involved using a metal sledgehammer to break down a door, allowing the disguised officers to enter and arrest Cabrera. Video footage posted on social media depicts the officers collecting evidence at the scene. Significant amounts of evidence were recovered, including 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm.

For this World Cup, Clutch represents the United States as a bald eagle, while Maple represents Canada as a moose. Mexico is represented by a jaguar named Zayu. These team mascots helped officers blend into the environment and execute the operation successfully.

In Peru, micro-trafficking of drugs, which includes possession of 5 to 50 grams of cocaine base, carries a prison sentence of three to seven years. The innovative use of costumes is not new for Peruvian law enforcement. In previous operations, officers have dressed as characters such as the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, Wolverine, and Santa Claus to approach suspects without drawing attention. In 2024, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, an officer dressed as a bear with balloons and gifts was used to coax a female drug suspect from her house.