The pizzeria manager and several other suspects were arrested, with police seizing drugs, weapons, and cash. The operation also uncovered two cannabis plantations.
German police have uncovered a drug trafficking operation in Düsseldorf involving a pizzeria that secretly delivered cocaine alongside pizza orders.
Customers who requested item 40 on the menu received a side of cocaine with their pizza, according to police.
Criminal director Micheal Graf von Moltke revealed that the scheme was first flagged by food inspectors in March. Once the drug squad began surveillance, they quickly realised why pizza number 40 was so popular, Moltke told reporters.
When officers raided the pizzeria manager’s apartment, the 36-year-old allegedly threw a bag of drugs out of the window, which landed directly in the hands of waiting police officers.
The bag included 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis, and €268,000 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, around 150 officers launched a major raid, dismantling the drug ring and arresting three suspects, including the 22-year-old ringleader.
Homes and businesses linked to 12 additional suspects were also raided.
During the raids, police discovered two cannabis plantations in nearby Mönchengladbach and Solingen, containing a total of 360 plants.
Officers also seized weapons, cash, and luxury watches. The pizzeria manager was later arrested while attempting to flee abroad and remains in custody.
In accordance with German privacy laws, the names of the suspects have not been disclosed.
Police have yet to disclose how much the pizzeria was charging for the special cocaine order.