Police in western Germany have conducted a raid on a pizzeria accused of serving cocaine alongside its food, particularly when customers ordered item number 40 from the menu.
The investigation began in March after food inspectors alerted authorities, prompting drug squad officers to monitor the establishment, according to criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke.
During an attempt to arrest the restaurant manager at his apartment, the 36-year-old allegedly discarded a bag of drugs from the window, which fell directly into the hands of police officers. Authorities recovered 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis, and €268,000 in cash at the scene.
Despite his initial arrest, the restaurant manager reopened the pizzeria shortly after and reportedly continued the illicit drug-and-pizza operation. Investigators then seized the opportunity to delve deeper into the pizzeria’s drug supply chain, leading to the dismantling of a broader drug ring in western Germany weeks later.
Approximately 150 officers participated in the raids on two cannabis plantations—one located in Mönchengladbach, yielding 300 plants, and another in Solingen, with 60 plants found. Authorities also executed searches at homes and businesses of 12 suspects, resulting in three arrests, including a 22-year-old believed to be the mastermind of the drug operation.
During the raids, police recovered weapons, cash, and luxury watches. The pizzeria manager was later rearrested while attempting to flee the country and is currently in custody.
“This ‘number 40’ pizza was among our best-sellers,” noted Mr. Moltke. Law enforcement has yet to disclose the identities of others connected to the drug operation or the pricing of the pizza-and-cocaine combination.
