Peruvian police arrest drug dealer in World Cup mascot

Peruvian police arrested a suspected drug dealer in Lima on Thursday by deploying officers disguised as the official mascots of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The operation, conducted by the specialized Green Squadron unit, took place during the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

Authorities identified the suspect as 48-year-old Carlos Cabrera. Colonel Carlos Alcántara, head of the Green Squadron, stated that intelligence revealed Cabrera was a diehard football fan caught up in World Cup excitement. The unit decided to use the tournament-themed disguises to approach him without suspicion. Officers dressed as Clutch, the bald eagle representing the United States, and Maple, the moose representing Canada, participated in the raid.

Video released by police shows the mascot-clad officers using a metal sledgehammer to break through a gate at a property alongside fellow officers. The footage captures the subsequent arrest inside the residence. The operation resulted in the seizure of 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm.

Under Peruvian law, microtrafficking offenses involving cocaine base can carry prison sentences ranging from three to seven years. The arrest...