Valentine’s Day took an unexpected turn for a suspected drug dealer in Lima, Peru, when she stepped out of her house to greet an individual dressed in a charming teddy bear costume bearing chocolates and flowers. To her surprise, the teddy bear visitor turned out to be an undercover police officer in disguise. The suspected dealer was promptly apprehended by the officer, who maintained his teddy bear attire throughout the operation.
The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, showcasing the police officers conducting a thorough search of the suspect’s residence and the surrounding area. The online community found humor in the situation, drawing comparisons to Jake Peralta from the popular series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. One Instagram user even remarked:
Online Users Draw Parallels Between Peru’s Teddy Bear Officer and Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Ted’
On Valentine’s Day in Lima, Peru, a peculiar sight unfolded as a figure clad in a Valentine’s Day-themed teddy bear costume knelt on a street holding a sign declaring ‘You are my reason to smile’ in Spanish, accompanied by chocolates and flowers. Onlookers likely anticipated a heartwarming romantic gesture, envisioning a reunion between lovers.
However, the unfolding scenario took a dramatic turn akin to a movie plot when the woman descended the spiral staircase of her residence. The teddy bear character, as it turned out, was an undercover police officer. With the assistance of fellow officers disguised as civilians, the officer swiftly apprehended the woman, revealing her involvement in suspected drug-related activities.
The video footage of the operation, disseminated by the National Police of Peru, swiftly gained traction across various media platforms. The arresting officer, still adorned in the teddy bear costume minus the headpiece, proceeded to handcuff the woman. Meanwhile, the remaining police team scoured the suspect’s home and its vicinity, uncovering parcels resembling illicit substances concealed in plastic bags at various locations. The teddy bear even partook in the search efforts. Subsequently, in a peculiar tableau, the teddy bear officer escorted the detained suspect to the awaiting patrol vehicle, leading to the arrest of two women.
The online community reacted with a mix of astonishment and amusement, spawning memes and cultural references, notably drawing parallels to Ted, the anthropomorphic teddy bear from Seth MacFarlane’s Ted franchise. A user even created an Instagram GIF capturing the arrest in a lighthearted manner, while some likened the operation to the antics of Jake Peralta.
According to Fox News, the operation was conducted by Escuadron Verde, also known as the Green Squad, of the Peruvian Capital. This specialized unit, part of the Peruvian National Police, comprises plainclothes officers engaged in urban intelligence operations. Notably, in December 2023, an officer from this squad executed a drug raid while disguised as Santa Claus.