Court records or official statements from the Peruvian judiciary

Peruvian Police Dressed as Grinch Arrest Three in San Bartolo Drug Raid

Dec 24, 2024, 04:30 PM

Police in Peru employed a creative tactic in a recent drug bust by dressing an officer as the Grinch. On December 20, 2024, an officer disguised as the Christmas character led a raid in the San Bartolo district of southern Lima to dismantle a family-run drug trafficking gang. The officer, part of the National Police's Green Squadron unit known for its inventive methods, used a sledgehammer to break down the door of the suspects' residence. After seizing drugs and money, the Grinch declared, "I hate Christmas and criminals." The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspected traffickers. The Peruvian Interior Ministry shared a video of the operation, which has since gone viral. Police often use festive costumes during operations to catch criminals off guard and to pass unnoticed during holiday seasons.