Peruvian officers dressed as World Cup mascots arrested suspected drug dealer
In Lima, police officers disguised as figures from the football tournament approached a 48-year-old man accused of drug trafficking.
Peruvian officers dressed as World Cup mascots arrested suspected drug dealer
In the Peruvian capital, a pair of police officers dressed in costumes of two animated figures from the international football tournament collaborated in the capture of a 48-year-old man accused of distributing narcotics. The arrest took place on Thursday, coinciding with the inaugural match of the tournament between the Mexico and South Africa national teams.
Colonel Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron, detailed that the detention of the individual—identified as Carlos Cabrera—had the support of two undercover agents. Investigators had determined that the target was a keen football fan and was under the influence of the excitement generated by the championship. Taking advantage of this circumstance, the operational personnel dressed in large costumes of the official mascots to approach without arousing suspicion.
Once in place, the officers—still wearing the costumes—used a sturdy metal tool to force entry to the residence, allowing the rest of the team to enter. During the search, they found more than two thousand five hundred wrappings of coca paste, as well as a pistol.
Peruvian law establishes sentences of three to seven years imprisonment for those who distribute smaller quantities of drugs, provided they are found in possession of between five and fifty grams of coca paste.
This method of infiltration using eye-catching costumes is not new for Peruvian law enforcement. In previous operations, officers have transformed into well-known characters from cinema—such as a green villain from a Christmas film, a nightmare killer with metal claws, a loud-mouthed mercenary, a mutant with adamantium claws and even an elderly bearded man in a red suit—to set up ambushes without being detected.
The mascots used on this occasion represent two participating nations: a bird of prey with white plumage on its head symbolises the United States, while a large cervid personifies Canada. Mexico's representation, meanwhile, is a spotted feline called Zayu.
Data obtained from 24sata
Source: 24sata