In brief
Authorities conducted a police raid on a pizzeria in western Germany after discovering that the establishment was serving cocaine with pizza orders. This led to further investigations which uncovered a significant drug operation in the area.
In an unusual turn of events, German law enforcement has cracked down on a pizzeria in western Germany that allegedly served cocaine as a side order with its most popular menu item. The bizarre case began to unfold when food inspectors tipped off the authorities in March about suspicious activities at the restaurant.Police, led by criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke, initiated an investigation and started surveillance of the pizza establishment. Their suspicions were confirmed when the pizzeria manager, a 36-year-old man, was caught attempting to dispose of a bag of drugs during his apprehension at his residence in Düsseldorf. To the astonishment of the officers involved, the bag landed squarely into their possession.During the raid of the manager's apartment, police seized a staggering 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) of cocaine, 400 g (14.1 oz) of cannabis, and approximately €268,000 (around £223,120) in cash. Following his arrest, the manager was released, quickly reopening the pizzeria and allegedly continuing to serve his illicit offerings.This recurring situation allowed law enforcement to delve deeper into the restaurant’s drug supply network, which led to the subsequent dismantling of a drug ring in the surrounding areas of western Germany just a few weeks later. In a coordinated action involving around 150 officers, two cannabis cultivation centers were targeted, one in Mönchengladbach where 300 plants were discovered, and another in Solingen, which yielded 60 plants.As part of the crackdown, authorities raided locations linked to 12 suspects, resulting in the arrest of three individuals, including a 22-year-old alleged ringleader of the operation. Additionally, items linking to the drug trade, including weapons, large sums of cash, and luxury watches, were confiscated.The pizzeria's manager was ultimately rearrested while attempting to flee the country and currently remains in custody. It has been reported that the "number 40" item on the menu was a significant crowd favorite among customers, although police have withheld the price and the identities of others involved in the drug operation.
