On June 13, 2026, two Peruvian police officers disguised as World Cup mascots helped arrest a suspected drug dealer in Lima. The operation marks the latest in a series of creative law enforcement strategies in the country, where officers use costumes to catch suspects off guard.

Col. Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron, a unit focused on combating common crime, led the operation. They arrested Carlos Cabrera, 48, during the World Cup’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The plan involved officers dressing as World Cup mascots Clutch and Maple to infiltrate the suspect’s circle without raising suspicion.

Alcántara explained to The Associated Press, “Through intelligence work, we learned the individual was a fervent football fan, caught up in World Cup fever. Thus, we disguised our personnel as mascots to approach and apprehend him without arousing suspicion.”

The operation involved the use of a metal sledgehammer to break down a door, allowing officers to enter and detain the suspect. Police shared video footage of the raid on social media, showcasing the collection of evidence and the arrest.

In this World Cup, Clutch represents the United States as a bald eagle, while Maple, a moose, symbolizes Canada. Mexico features a jaguar named Zayu. During the operation in question, police discovered 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm.

In Peru, the micro-trafficking of drugs carries a penalty of three to seven years in prison for possession of 5 to 50 grams of cocaine base. This operation is part of a larger trend of inventive disguises by Peruvian police, including characters like the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, Wolverine, and even Santa Claus to catch unsuspecting suspects.

A notable instance occurred in 2024 when police dressed one officer in a bear costume, equipped with balloons and gifts, to lure a female drug suspect from her home just before Valentine’s Day.