"Not Really a World Cup Mascot?" Disguised Police Arrest Drug Trafficking Suspect

Disguised as "Clutch" and "Maple"
Police Raid Suspect's Home

Peruvian police, disguised as the 2026 North and Central America World Cup mascots, raided the home of a drug trafficking suspect and made an arrest.

Peruvian police arrested a drug trafficking suspect disguised as the World Cup mascot. Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency

According to Yonhap News and major foreign media outlets on the 14th, two police officers in Lima, Peru, dressed up as World Cup mascots and apprehended a drug trafficking suspect, Carlos Carrera (48).

The Peruvian police also released footage of the arrest through their official TikTok account. In the video, the two officers are disguised as "Clutch," the bald eagle mascot, and "Maple," the moose mascot, both representing the North and Central America World Cup.

The two officers, disguised as Clutch and Maple, broke down the iron door with a hammer and entered the house, arresting Carrera, who was wearing a white tank top. Through this operation, the police seized 2,524 packs of cocaine base and one firearm.

Police launched the operation during the first Group A match of the North and Central America World Cup group stage between Mexico and South Africa.

Colonel Carlos Alcantara of Peru's crime task force "Green Squad" explained, "Based on intelligence, we confirmed that the suspect is an avid football fan who was caught up in World Cup fever. To approach and arrest him without arousing suspicion, we disguised our agents as World Cup mascots."

A police officer dressed as Santa Claus making a statement after arresting a drug dealer in the Huaral area of Peru in 2023. Peruvian National Police

This was not the first time Peruvian police conducted undercover operations in disguise. In order to avoid raising suspicion among their targets, officers have carried out operations dressed as various movie characters such as the Grinch, Freddy Krueger, Deadpool, Wolverine, and Santa Claus.

During Christmas 2023, the "Green Squad" team, dressed as Santa Claus, raided a drug dealer's hideout in the Uaral region of Peru, breaking down the metal door with a hammer and climbing to the second floor using a ladder. They seized 600 packs of cocaine extract, 150 bags of marijuana, and 30 packs of cocaine.

In 2022, during another drug dealer arrest, the team wore "Avengers" character costumes and seized 3,500 packs of cocaine extract, 287 packs of cocaine, and 127 bags of marijuana.

Meanwhile, FIFA unveiled three mascots for the North and Central America World Cup, symbolizing the joint hosting of the tournament: "Maple," "Zayu," and "Clutch." Maple is modeled on the moose, a large deer native to Canada; Zayu represents the jaguar of Mexico; and Clutch is inspired by the bald eagle, symbolizing the United States.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.