World Cup mascot leads police to arrest drug dealers

Peruvian police have busted a drug-trafficking operation in the capital Lima after its members disguised themselves as official tournament mascots. World Cup 2026To carry out a rating, as a result of which the wanted person was taken into custody.

The police showed a video they posted on their official account on the TikTok platform, when officers disguised as two mascots, Clutch the bald eagle and Maple the banana, stormed one of the gates with a sledgehammer before the man in the white jacket was arrested.

The video shows security officers confiscating bags containing white powder and firearms, accompanied by a written inscription: “World Cup mode activated… The action ends with Pichichi falling.”

“Thanks to the investigative work done by the team, we were able to confirm that the man we were going to arrest is a fanatic soccer fan who lives and breathes World Cup fever,” Col. Carlos Freddy Alcantara Obregon, head of the Green Police Department, told The Associated Press.

The colonel added in his statements. “Therefore, members of my Green Division disguised themselves as World Cup mascots to approach him without arousing suspicion and effect the arrest.”

The raid is an extension of a method used by Peruvian police, who wore eye-catching uniforms during previous arrests.

Valentine’s Day celebrations in 2025 will see an officer dressed as a capybara and a turtle backpack to make arrests as part of a Lima drug investigation, while other officers have previously dressed up as Marvel superheroes.

Peru’s national team failed to reach the finals of the World Cup this year after finishing ninth in the 10-team South American (CONMEBOL) qualifiers, with their last appearance at the tournament dating back to 2018.