In a unique undercover operation, Peruvian police officers disguised as FIFA World Cup mascots arrested a suspected drug dealer named Carlos Cabrera in Lima. The suspect, a die-hard football fan, was caught off guard when he thought the mascots had arrived at his doorstep, only to be greeted by police instead.
The Unexpected Away Team
The operation was carried out by the Peruvian National Police’s Green Squad, known for its theatrical tactics. Colonel Carlos Fredy Alcántara Obregón, the squad chief, told the Associated Press that the suspect was a passionate football enthusiast living and breathing World Cup fever. To avoid raising suspicion, officers capitalized on his obsession. Dressed as Maple the Moose and Clutch the Bald Eagle, two of the tournament’s mascots, they approached his house in a Lima neighborhood while cameras recorded the scene. Notably, Zayu the Jaguar, the third mascot, was not part of the operation.
When the Mascot Heads Came Off
The cheerful mascot visit ended abruptly as officers smashed through a metal gate, stormed the property, and handcuffed Carlos. Video footage shows that despite some officers losing their oversized mascot heads during the rush, the operation proceeded smoothly. According to media reports, police recovered drugs, weapons, and other evidence from the property. Carlos was later seen being escorted through the streets by Maple and Clutch—this time with the mascot heads back on. As the police noted, sometimes a costume is mightier than a badge in fighting crime.
