Police raided a pizzeria in western Germany, saying it served cocaine to customers when they ordered item No. 40 on the menu.
Food inspectors alerted authorities to the scheme in March and drug squad officers began monitoring the restaurant, Criminal Supervisor Michael Graf von Moltke said on Monday.
Dusseldorf police said that when police went to the pizzeria manager’s apartment to detain him, the 36-year-old manager threw a bag of drugs out of the window, “which fell directly into the arms of the police officers.”
Police found 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) of cocaine, 400 grams (14.1 ounces) of cannabis and €268,000 (£223,120) in cash inside the apartment.
The restaurant manager was released by police days later, reopened the restaurant and continued selling a combination of drugs and pizza.
Investigators used the opportunity to look into the pizzeria’s drug supply chain, weeks before they busted a drug ring in western Germany.
About 150 police officers raided two cannabis farms, one in Mönchengladbach, west of Dusseldorf, where 300 plants were found, and another in Solingen, east of the city, where 60 plants were found. marijuana.
The homes and businesses of 12 suspects were also raided, resulting in the arrest of three people, including a 22-year-old man suspected of being the head of a drug trafficking operation.
Police also found weapons, money and expensive watches during the raid.
The pizzeria manager was arrested again while trying to leave the country and remains in custody.
“No. 40 is one of the best-selling pizzas,” Mr. Moltke said.
Police have not released the names of others involved in the drug deal, nor the price of the pizza and cocaine combo.
