Police officer dressed as Grinch steals Christmas with creative drug bust in Lima

In an unusual pre-Christmas operation, a Peruvian police officer dressed as the Grinch apprehended suspected drug traffickers in Lima, Peru’s capital. The operation, conducted by the Green Squad of the Peruvian National Police, targeted alleged members of the La Mafia de San Bartolo gang in the San Bartolo district.

According to a post on X by the Peruvian National Police, the suspects, identified by aliases “La Reina del Sur,” “La Coneja,” and “Pote,” were detained for alleged involvement in drug trafficking. Various narcotics and items related to drug distribution were seized during the operation.

Footage of the raid shows the officer, clad in the iconic green costume of the infamous Christmas character, breaking down the front door with a sledgehammer before entering the premises. The Grinch then searched the home, uncovering the illegal substances and evidence of drug dealing. A police spokesperson described the operation as a “strategic surprise tactic designed to outsmart suspects and ensure public safety.”

Peru is the second-largest global producer of cocaine and cultivator of coca, the plant used to manufacture the drug. Most of the cocaine produced is transported to South America for local consumption or exported to markets in Europe, the United States, East Asia, and Mexico, according to the U.S. State Department. This operation highlights the innovative measures Peruvian authorities are employing to disrupt the drug trade.

This isn’t the first time Peruvian authorities have used creative disguises. On Halloween 2023, officers dressed as Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Tiffany Valentine carried out similar raids on suspected drug dealers, surprising suspects and facilitating successful arrests.

The recent Grinch operation demonstrates Peru’s ongoing commitment to tackling drug trafficking with inventive strategies. Authorities hope these methods will continue to yield results, reducing the influence of organized crime in the region.