A truly unusual sight unfolded in Lima, Peru, when a police officer, clad in a capybara costume, stormed a suspected drug trafficker’s home during a raid on Valentine’s Day.

The incident, which was captured on video, shows the officer charging into the house, tackling the suspect to the ground, and swiftly placing him under arrest.

Drug Seizure During the Raid

In the course of the operation, authorities discovered over 1,700 packages of illegal substances, including cocaine and marijuana, which were then seized.

The footage ends with the officer, still in his capybara disguise, posing for a photo with the suspect and the piles of drugs spread out on a table.

Escuadrón Verde’s Unconventional Approach to Drug Busts

The raid was carried out by Peru’s Escuadrón Verde, a specialist anti-drug unit known for their quirky approach to drug busts.

For various festive occasions like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas, they’ve gained attention for disguising themselves in costumes.

In the past, officers have dressed up as Spiderman, Captain America, Thor, and Black Widow while carrying out similar operations.

Leader Explains the Capybara Choice

Col Pedro Rojas, leader of the unit, explained the choice of the capybara costume for the Valentine’s Day raid, saying, “On this occasion, Valentine’s Day, lover’s day, we sought to camouflage ourselves with the character of the capybara.”

This playful tactic has proven successful in catching criminals off guard during raids.

Previous Holiday-Themed Raids

This isn’t the first time Escuadrón Verde has used such creative disguises.

Just last year, two officers dressed as superheroes Deadpool and Wolverine for a Halloween raid on a suspected drug gang.

Similarly, in December, an undercover officer disguised as Santa Claus broke down a door during a cocaine and marijuana bust in Lima.

These themed raids often yield substantial drug seizures and arrests.

Peru’s Ongoing Struggle with Cocaine Production

Peru is a significant player in the global drug trade, being one of the world’s largest producers of coca leaves and cocaine.

According to a government report, the area dedicated to coca cultivation increased by 18% in 2022.

Most of this cultivation takes place in remote areas close to the borders of Brazil and Colombia, often on protected lands and indigenous territories.

While coca leaves are traditionally used for medicinal and cultural purposes, experts estimate that the majority of the crop is used in the production of illicit drugs, further fueling the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the country.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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