In one of the most creatively theatrical police operations in recent memory, officers in Peru donned official 2026 FIFA World Cup mascot costumes to take down a suspected drug dealer — timing the raid perfectly with the tournament’s opening match.
Two members of the Peruvian National Police’s Green Squadron unit disguised themselves as Clutch, the anthropomorphic bald eagle representing the United States, and Maple, the moose representing Canada. They used the costumes to approach the home of Carlos Cabrera Heredia, a 48-year-old nicknamed “Pichichi” for his die-hard soccer fandom, without raising alarms.
The operation unfolded on Thursday, June 11, during the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa. Video footage shared on the police department’s TikTok account shows the costumed officers dramatically breaching a metal gate with a battering ram before detaining Cabrera. In the ensuing chaos, the oversized mascot heads reportedly came flying off as the team swiftly made the arrest. One clip even captured the officers posing with the suspect afterward.
According to authorities, the raid — led by Colonel Carlos Alcántara of the Green Squadron, which targets common crime and micro-trafficking in Lima — yielded significant seizures: roughly 2,524 packets of cocaine base paste, additional marijuana, a firearm with ammunition, and cash.
Cabrera, described as deeply immersed in World Cup fever despite Peru’s absence from the tournament, became the perfect target for the creative approach. “We proceeded to disguise my Green Squad personnel as World Cup mascots in order to approach him without arousing suspicion,” Alcántara reportedly explained.
This isn’t the first time Peruvian police have leaned into viral, costume-heavy tactics. The Green Squadron has previously deployed officers dressed as everything from Santa Claus and the Grinch to Marvel superheroes, a capybara, and even a teddy bear for Valentine’s Day operations. The strategy often capitalizes on cultural moments to catch suspects off guard, turning routine busts into social media gold.
The mascot raid quickly went viral worldwide, sparking memes and coverage across major outlets. In a soccer-mad region, the image of World Cup mascots leading a battering-ram charge has become an instant hit — offering Peruvian authorities a rare PR victory amid the global tournament spotlight.
