The pizzeria manager and several other suspects were arrested and police seized drugs, weapons and cash. The operation also made it possible to discover two cannabis plantations.
German police have uncovered a drug deal in Düsseldorf, involving a pizzeria that secretly delivered cocaine along with the ordered pizzas.
According to police, customers who requested menu item 40 received a slice of cocaine with their pizza.
Criminal Police Director Micheal Graf von Moltke revealed that food inspectors spotted the scheme in March. When the narcotics squad began its surveillance, it quickly figured out why the number 40 pizza was so popular, Mr. Moltke told reporters.
When the police searched the apartment of the pizzeria manager, the latter, aged 36, allegedly threw a bag containing drugs out of the window, which landed directly in the hands of the waiting police officers.
The bag contained 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis and 268,000 euros in cash.
After two days of arrest, the restaurant manager reopened the pizzeria and continued selling the illicit “pizza number 40,” allowing investigators to trace the operation’s supply chain.
After several weeks of investigation, some 150 agents launched a vast operation, dismantling the drug network and arresting three suspects, including the 22-year-old ringleader.
Searches also took place at homes and businesses linked to 12 other suspects.
During the searches, police discovered two cannabis plantations in Mönchengladbach and Solingen, two neighboring towns, containing a total of 360 plants.
Officers also seized weapons, cash and luxury watches. The pizzeria manager was later arrested while trying to flee abroad and remains in custody.
In accordance with German privacy laws, the names of the suspects have not been released.
Police have not yet revealed how much the pizzeria charged for the special order of cocaine.