When it comes to drug busts, Peruvian police have developed a rather unconventional method—disguising themselves in costumes to catch criminals off guard.
One of their latest operations saw an officer dressed as a capybara leading a raid in Lima, leaving many stunned and amused.
Valentine’s Day Surprise Bust
On Valentine’s Day, an anti-narcotics team stormed the home of a suspected drug trafficker.
But instead of traditional tactical gear, one officer was dressed as the world’s largest rodent—the capybara.
In a scene straight out of an action-comedy, the costumed officer charged into the house, tackled the suspect, and secured him in handcuffs.
Authorities later revealed that the operation uncovered over 1,700 packages of cocaine and marijuana.
As if the bizarre spectacle wasn’t enough, the ‘capybara cop’ even posed for a victory photo next to the arrested suspect and the confiscated drugs.
Costumed Crimefighters: A Strategy That Works
The raid was orchestrated by Peru’s Escuadrón Verde, a specialized anti-drug unit known for using creative disguises during festive seasons.
Over the years, Peruvian officers have dressed up as superheroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, and Black Widow while taking down drug rings.
Colonel Pedro Rojas, who leads the unit, explained the logic behind this approach: “On Valentine’s Day, a day of love, we decided to blend in with a capybara costume.”
While it may seem humorous, the element of surprise has proven to be highly effective.
Halloween Heist: Superheroes Strike Again
This wasn’t the first time Peruvian authorities used this tactic.
Last Halloween, two officers disguised as Deadpool and Wolverine executed a dramatic raid on another suspected drug operation.
Armed with sledgehammers, they broke into a Lima residence, uncovering a significant stash of illegal substances.
The operation led to the seizure of 54 bags of cocaine, 850 packets of coca base paste, and cash totaling 2,000 Peruvian soles (about £410).
Four individuals were taken into custody.
Santa Claus Takes Down Drug Dealers
As the holiday season approached, the police doubled down on their festive crime-fighting approach.
In December, an officer dressed as Santa Claus stormed a suspected drug den just days before Christmas.
With a sledgehammer in hand, he broke down the door while backup officers climbed into the second floor to prevent any escape attempts.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 600 packages of cocaine paste, 150 bags of marijuana, and 30 more bags of processed cocaine.
A Growing Battle Against Cocaine Production
While these costumed raids may seem comical, they highlight a serious issue.
Peru is one of the world’s largest producers of coca leaves and cocaine.
A government report released in mid-2023 revealed that coca cultivation had increased by 18% in 2022, with most of the illegal farming occurring in protected Amazonian lands near the borders of Brazil and Colombia.
Although coca leaves are traditionally used for energy boosts or altitude sickness remedies, experts estimate that about 90% of Peru’s crop is destined for the illegal drug trade.
The situation has been escalating since 2015, making the government’s fight against narcotics an ever-growing challenge.
What’s Next for Peru’s Crimefighters?
With a track record of creative and effective operations, it’s likely that Peru’s police will continue blending law enforcement with theatrical disguises.
Whether it’s superheroes, Christmas icons, or even more unexpected animal costumes, these raids show that an element of surprise can be a powerful tool in the fight against drug trafficking.
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