Peruvian police in Lima pulled off an unusual takedown this week by enlisting help from two unlikely allies: Clutch the Bald Eagle and Maple the Moose, the official mascots of the United States and Canada at the World Cup.
Officers from the Green Squad dressed in the mascot costumes to approach and arrest a suspect in a drug operation. The disguise proved effective enough that the target didn't resist when police broke through a gate to make the arrest.
Colonel Carlos Fredy Alcántara Obregón, who heads the Green Squad, explained the tactical choice to the Associated Press. Intelligence work had revealed the suspect was a devoted World Cup fan, someone living for the tournament. Rather than risk alarming him with a standard police approach, the team decided to use that passion against him.
"We proceeded to disguise my Green Squad personnel as World Cup mascots in order to approach him without arousing suspicion and make the arrest," Obregón said.
The mascot duo's fictional backgrounds actually suited them well for the job. According to FIFA, Clutch "leads by action, rallying teammates, lifting spirits and turning every challenge into an opportunity to rise higher," making the eagle a natural fit for high-stakes operations. Maple, described as a "street style-loving artist," had the cultural credibility to blend into Lima's urban landscape.
The third World Cup mascot, Zayu the Jaguar, did not participate. The jaguar's schedule did not permit availability for the operation.
The raid marks an unusual moment of cooperation between the two North American nations, despite rising tensions in recent years over trade and diplomatic friction. For one afternoon in Lima, at least, their mascots worked in tandem for law enforcement.
Author James Rodriguez: "Only in 2024 does a drug bust get helped by cartoon mascots, but Peru's Green Squad deserves credit for turning creative thinking into an actual arrest."
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