Investigators busted an entire drug distribution network that started from a local pizzeria
German police raided a pizzeria in the city of Dusseldorf that offered cocaine along with pizza deliveries, the Associated Press reported.
In order to receive the narcotic substance with their order, customers had to choose the so-called “pizza number 40”.
“These were some of the best-selling pizzas,” police chief Michael Graf von Moltke told a news conference in Düsseldorf.
He pointed out that the police’s suspicion that something wrong was being done at the pizzeria arose after a tip-off from food inspectors who visited the premises in March. Drug Enforcement Administration officers then began monitoring the restaurant, and it wasn’t long before they discovered why “pizza number 40” was so popular.
When the police searched the apartment of the manager of the pizzeria, the 36-year-old man threw out of the window a bag full of drugs “which fell right into the hands of law enforcement officers”. It contained 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams. cannabis and €268,000 in cash.
Police said the restaurant’s manager was released from custody a few days later and soon resumed selling “number 40 pizza” laced with cocaine. This gave investigators a closer look at the supply chain, and within weeks nearly 150 police officers had busted an entire West German drug distribution ring. Three suspects were detained, including a 22-year-old man who is believed to be the head of the scheme. Law enforcement searched the residences and offices of another 12 suspects.
In the course of the action, 2 cannabis plantations were discovered near the cities of Mönchengladbach and Solingen.
The manager of the pizzeria was detained while trying to escape abroad, BTA clarifies.