Police conducted a raid on a pizzeria in western Germany after allegations surfaced that the restaurant distributed cocaine to customers who ordered “item number 40” from the menu.
Michael Graf von Moltke, a criminal director, stated on Monday that the operation came to light in March following a tip from food inspectors, which led drug squad officers to surveil the establishment.
During an attempt to apprehend the pizzeria manager at his residence, the 36-year-old allegedly discarded a bag of drugs out of a window, which inadvertently landed in the hands of the police, as reported by Düsseldorf police.
In the manager’s apartment, officers found 1.6 kg of cocaine, 400 g of cannabis, and €268,000 in cash. Despite his brief detention and the subsequent reopening of his restaurant, where he continued selling both pizza and drugs, authorities kept a close watch.
This vigilance enabled investigators to trace and eventually dismantle a drug ring operating in western Germany. The subsequent operation involved approximately 150 officers who executed raids on two cannabis plantations—one in Mönchengladbach, uncovering 300 plants, and another in Solingen with 60 plants.
Additional raids on the homes and businesses of 12 suspects resulted in three arrests, including a 22-year-old purportedly at the helm of the drug operation. Police also confiscated weapons, cash, and luxury watches.
The pizzeria manager was rearrested while attempting to leave the country and remains in custody. “The number 40 was one of our best-selling pizzas,” Mr. Moltke noted.
