German police have raided a pizzeria where customers who ordered a Number 40 off the menu were given a ‘side order’ of cocaine.
The restaurant in Düsseldorf had been under surveillance after police were first tipped off by suspicious food inspectors in March, investigators said.
Customers knew ordering the number 40 pizza, which had become one of the most popular on the menu, was a way of buying drugs.
Criminal director Michael Graf von Moltke has not revealed how much the No 40 cost but added: “That was one of the best-selling pizzas.”
The restaurant manager had been under investigation and was previously detained by police after drugs were allegedly thrown out the window of a flat attached to the business. But when he was freed he continued to sell cocaine, it is alleged.
Investigators launched an operation with 150 officers busting a drug ring in western Germany, which included the supply to the pizzeria.
Police arrested three suspects, including the 22-year-old suspected head of the drug operation, and raided homes and businesses of another 12 suspects.
They uncovered two cannabis plantations in nearby Mönchengladbach and Solingen. They also found cutting equipment, knives and cash as well as cash and luxury watches.
In a previous raid they seized 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) of cocaine, 400 grams (14.1 ounces) of cannabis and 268,000 euros ($290,378) in cash.
The pizzeria manager was arrested when he tried to escape abroad and remains in custody. None of the suspects' names were released in line with German privacy rules.
