German authorities have uncovered a drug trafficking operation at a pizzeria in Düsseldorf, where customers discreetly ordered cocaine by requesting item number 40 on the menu.
According to reports, the suspicious popularity of this particular pizza drew the attention of food inspectors in March.
Criminal Director Michael Graf von Moltke confirmed to News men “It was one of the most-sold pizzas,” Von Moltkesaid. A packet of cocaine was placed under each pie. “That was new to us and surprised us because the owner had never been accused of drug crimes.”
Following the inspectors' concerns, local law enforcement launched an investigation into the pizzeria, eventually discovering that pizza number 40 came with an illicit side order of cocaine. Von Moltke disclosed these details at a press conference in Düsseldorf on Monday, according to the German news agency dpa.
The situation escalated when police raided the home of the 36-year-old pizzeria manager.
In a dramatic turn, the manager allegedly attempted to discard incriminating evidence by throwing a bag of drugs out the window, inadvertently delivering it into the hands of officers stationed below.
The bag contained 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) of cocaine and 400 grams (14.1 ounces) of cannabis, alongside €268,000 ($290,378) in cash.
Although briefly detained, the manager was released after a few days and surprisingly resumed his operations, once again offering the illicit side order with pizza number 40.
This bold move provided authorities with further insights into the larger drug network. After weeks of surveillance, police conducted a coordinated raid involving approximately 150 officers, dismantling a criminal enterprise in western Germany.
Three key suspects were arrested, including the 22-year-old leader of the operation. Raids were also carried out on the properties of 12 additional individuals linked to the case. During these operations, police uncovered two cannabis-growing facilities: one in Mönchengladbach with 300 plants and another in Solingen with 60 plants.
It was further learnt that Authorities also seized weapons, cash, and luxury watches.
The pizzeria manager was rearrested while attempting to flee the country and remains in custody. In line with German privacy laws, the identities of the suspects have not been released.
Officials have also declined to reveal the exact price customers paid for the notorious “pizza number 40.”
