Cocaine-Packed Pizza: Police Uncover Bizarre Drug Scheme in Düsseldorf
In an astonishing revelation, Pizza Number 40, a popular dish at a Düsseldorf pizzeria, was found to contain a secret and illicit ingredient—cocaine. This discovery led police to dismantle a sophisticated organized crime ring operating in North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state in Germany.
Authorities, including elite police units, carried out searches across 16 locations in nine cities, arresting three suspects and confiscating a cache of weapons. The investigation was prompted back in March when a routine food inspection at the pizzeria revealed the presence of drugs in the kitchen. Surveillance operations were subsequently initiated, during which investigators noted that Pizza Number 40 was a favorite among customers.
Ch Insp Michael Graf von Moltke commented on the surprising find, noting, "A packet of cocaine was placed under each pie. That was new to us and surprised us because the owner had never been accused of drug crimes before." The advertising slogan of the pizzeria, "We deliver everything home to you," seemed to take on a darker, more sinister meaning in light of these events.
The arrest of the 36-year-old Croatian shop owner came after he allegedly attempted to dispose of evidence by throwing a bag of drugs out of a window as police arrived to question him. The operation led to the seizure of 16 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis, and €268,000 in cash, alongside luxury watches and firearms.
Despite being released due to a lack of prior criminal history, the owner quickly reopened the pizzeria, allowing investigators to continue tracing his supply chain. This led them to a key suspect—a 22-year-old Russian mixed martial arts fighter known to police, who is accused of being deeply involved in drug trafficking and violent dealings with rival dealers. Reports suggest he had previously attacked and robbed fellow dealers, even holding one hostage for two days.
Police apprehended the martial artist along with two other suspects: a 30-year-old drug dealer from Cologne and a 28-year-old Moroccan. Meanwhile, the pizzeria owner remains in custody, and the establishment is now closed. Prosecutor Laura Neumann indicated that the criminal enterprise not only acquired cocaine and cannabis in large volumes but also cultivated marijuana in residential apartments, endangering the lives of innocent family members. Tragically, the children of one suspect have already been placed in foster care.
The Russian suspect, who emigrated to Germany as a teenager, could be looking at a lengthy prison sentence of up to 15 years for his involvement in drug-related felonies and kidnapping.
This incident recalls the 2001 cult comedy 'Lammbock', where pizzeria owners engage in delivering pies with cannabis concealed inside. The stark contrast from comedy to reality illustrates the oddities sometimes found in the intersection of food and criminal operations. It serves as a reminder that not everything delivered to your door is as innocent as it appears.
In a separate but equally concerning case, Berlin police apprehended a 24-year-old delivery driver who was allegedly hiding cocaine within soft drink cans, further highlighting the ongoing battle against the obscured routes of drug distribution across Germany.
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