One of the best-selling pizzas from a Düsseldorf pizzeria had a special side dish: cocaine. On the menu, the slice was called "pizza No. 40" and was apparently quite popular.
Criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke confirmed to reporters in Düsseldorf that it was one of the best selling pizzas, writes ABC news, citing the German news agency DPA. Von Moltke said cops were first alerted by food inspectors in March, after which they set up surveillance on the shop.
Police officers soon realized why pizza No. 40 was so popular. They went to the apartment of the 36-year-old restaurant operator, who allegedly threw a bag full of illegal substances out the window. The bag containing cocaine, cannabis and 268,000 Euros ($290,378) in cash "fell right into the arms of the police officer," police said.
The pizzeria manager was detained for several days. Upon release, he reopened his restaurant and went back to serving cocaine pizza. Meanwhile, investigators were keeping an eye on the supply chain and ended up busting the entire ring. Three suspects were arrested, including the 22-year-old leader of the operation. A dozen homes and businesses were also raided.
Authorities continued investigating the supply chain. After several weeks, some 150 officers broke up the entire operation, arrested three suspects, including the 22-year-old capo and raided homes and businesses of another 12 suspects. During the raids, police also discovered two cannabis plantations in nearby Mönchengladbach and Solingen.
Partial cannabis legalization took effect in Germany on April 1. A new report on Germany’s cannabis market by Prohibition Partners revealed that German medical marijuana sales are projected to reach €420 million in 2024 ($260.66 million) reaching €1 billion by 2028.
