An unsuspecting code, “Pizza Number 40,” cracked open a large cocaine network hiding behind a Düsseldorf pizzeria, causing a major crackdown and arrests.
At a Glance
- German police unveiled a drug operation involving a pizzeria in Düsseldorf.
- The “Pizza Number 40” served as a code for cocaine orders.
- Major arrests and seizures concluded the investigation.
- Authorities applauded the operation as a significant blow against organized crime.
Code ‘Pizza Number 40’ Used in Drug Distribution
German police discovered an innovative yet insidious operation in Düsseldorf, where cocaine was discreetly distributed through a local pizzeria. The scheme involved using “Pizza Number 40” as a covert code for drug transactions. An intricate web of illicit activities was hidden behind the facade of a common pizza order. Authorities were tipped off about this peculiar code, leading to heightened surveillance and subsequent raid operations that unmasked the scale of the drug trade.
The pizzeria’s Croatian manager was among those initially arrested. His attempts to dispose of cocaine by tossing it out a window during a police raid captured significant attention. Following a brief release, his activities resumed, aiding law enforcement in mapping out the distribution network. This continuity facilitated their operations to dismantle the drug chain and pin down the leaders involved.
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Details ⤵️https://t.co/UHfVvYVqsr pic.twitter.com/aSdMYinAkX
— Europol (@Europol) June 13, 2024
Major Police Operation Against Drug Ring
In a calculated move, law enforcement targeted and arrested three individuals connected with a larger drug ring in western Germany. Among these arrests was the 22-year-old leader who orchestrated the supply network. Alongside being a central figure, prosecutors identified the young man as having no prior criminal record, emphasizing how deception masked the ring’s activities.
The detailed investigations led to the confiscation of 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 400 grams of cannabis, €268,000 in cash, luxury items, and multiple weapons. This outcome underscores how the drug operations extended beyond local levels, connecting broader networks and regional operations. Such successes illustrate the necessity for detailed investigative work and multilateral policing cooperation.
Largest Cocaine Bust on European Soil
Another monumental victory in the fight against drug enterprises was realized simultaneously in Europe’s biggest ever cocaine bust. A coordinated effort involving authorities from different countries led to the interception and confiscation of cocaine stashed in container ships destined for European ports, starting from Colombia and reaching places like Hamburg and Rotterdam. This international cooperation shows the scale and vigilance required to combat such elaborate criminal enterprises.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s justice system praised these interventions as ‘a blow to international organized criminality.’ Authorities celebrated the arrests across national boundaries as effective measures to stifle organized crime factions operating under these sophisticated guises. Such operations highlight the essential nature of continuous collaboration and enforcement diligence in mitigating the influence of drug distribution networks worldwide.
Sources:
- https://abc17news.com/news/2024/10/22/german-police-say-pizza-order-no-40-came-with-a-side-of-cocaine/
- https://www.dw.com/en/germany-d%25C3%25BCsseldorf-pizzeria-offered-cocaine-as-side-dish/a-70558941
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/germany-police-cocaine-bust-dusseldorf-europe/
- https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/german-police-pizza-order-40-side-cocaine-115014852
- https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/police-raid-restaurant-after-pizza-with-side-of-cocaine-becomes-best-selling-dish/ar-AA1sHLCq
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dusseldorf-cocaine-pizza-order-germany-b2633361.html