Düsseldorf policeGermany, has dismantled a restaurant that was actually a point of sale of drugs, specifically cocaine, behind the facade of selling pizzas.
The investigation, led by the criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke, revealed that customers were asking for pizza number 40 to receive not only a dish, but also a portion of cocaine as an “additional order.”
The case began in March, when food inspectors reported suspicions about the establishment.
Subsequent investigation confirmed that pizza number 40 was code for receiving cocaine.
When the agents from the anti-drug squad began to observe the restaurantthey soon discovered that the “Number 40” pizza was unusually popular.
The reason became clear very soon, Moltke said, quoted by the dpa news agency: instead of a normal topping, the pizza was accompanied by several doses of the narcotic.
When the police entered the scene, The 36-year-old pizzeria manager reacted by throwing a bag of drugs out the windowwho “fell directly into the arms of the agents.”
Although the authorities They have not detailed the exact price of the “special order”, This service made the pizzeria a popular spot.
During the operation, The police discovered 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis and 268 thousand euros in cash.
When trying to arrest the 36-year-old manager, he threw a bag of drugs out the window, which fell into the hands of the agents who were already waiting for him.
Although he was briefly arrested and released, The manager reopened the business and continued the illegal sale, which allowed the researchers delve deeper into the drug trafficking network.
Drug cartel dismantled
After weeks of research, 150 agents dismantled a drug cartel in western Germany.
Three people were arrestedincluding a 22-year-old young man considered the leader of the operation.
In addition, cannabis plantations were discovered in the vicinity of Mönchengladbach and Solingen with 300 and 60 plants respectively. It is also They seized weapons, luxury watches, cashknives and sharp weapons.
The pizzeria manager was arrested again while trying to flee abroad and remains in custody.
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**Interview with Michael Graf von Moltke, Criminal Director of Düsseldorf Police**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Director von Moltke. Can you tell us how the investigation into the pizzeria began?
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** Thank you for having me. The investigation started back in March when food inspectors flagged the pizzeria due to some unusual customer behavior. They noticed frequent requests for something they dubbed “pizza number 40,” which raised some red flags.
**Interviewer:** What made this particular order suspicious?
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** It was the sheer volume of requests for this specific pizza that caught our attention. Upon further observation, it became apparent that customers were not just interested in the pizza itself. They were, in fact, using that number as a code to order cocaine.
**Interviewer:** That’s incredible. How did your team confirm that “pizza number 40” was actually a code for drugs?
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** We set up surveillance to monitor the pizzeria. As it turned out, the “Number 40” was extremely popular, and we witnessed transactions that confirmed our suspicions. The so-called pizza was being served alongside doses of cocaine, a disturbing combination.
**Interviewer:** What was the reaction of the pizzeria’s management when the police conducted the raid?
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** The reaction was quite alarming. The 36-year-old pizzeria manager, when confronted, attempted to dispose of evidence by throwing a bag out of the window. Unfortunately for him, our team was well-prepared and secured the scene promptly.
**Interviewer:** What message do you want to send to establishments that may think they can operate under similar illegal activities?
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** Our message is clear: We will not tolerate any establishment masking illegal activities behind the facade of legitimate business. We are actively monitoring for such behaviors and will take swift action when necessary. The safety and well-being of our community comes first.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Director von Moltke, for your insights and for your work in keeping the community safe.
**Michael Graf von Moltke:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to keep these discussions ongoing.
