Police in California recently uncovered an alarming case of criminal activity taking place within what appeared to be an innocent pizza shop.
It is not uncommon for criminals to utilize legitimate businesses as fronts for illegal operations, and massage parlors disguising brothels are a prime example.
Now, authorities are alleging that this particular pizza parlor was a cover for an underground drug ring.
On June 22, Lillian L. Carranza, the commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Gang and Narcotics Division, shared images from a raid conducted at the local pizza parlor.
In her statement, Carranza revealed that the department’s lab was actively working to “dismantle and render an illicit Super Lab safe.” The establishment was reportedly involved in the production of THC honey oil.
In another social media update, the department acknowledged the growing creativity of criminals but assured the public that the police were diligently working to keep the city safe by making clever busts. They jokingly remarked that the pizza place would no longer be delivering pizzas, hinting at the true nature of its operations.
Let’s just say is not pizza! 🍕 Commander 70 David show me code 6 with #GND Lab Squad 7300 block Radford @LAPDNorthHwdDiv Your Lab Squad working to dismantle and render an illicit Super Lab safe. Operating in a business area next to a Pet Hospital! 🐾🐕 🥼 🧪 🧫 Doing their part… pic.twitter.com/Ma0EHZoOhn— Lillian L. Carranza🇺🇸 (@LAPDCARRANZA) June 23, 2023
Carranza emphasized the dangers associated with such clandestine drug labs. In the past, similar facilities have caused explosions resulting in injuries, property damage, and, tragically, even death.
This drug bust occurred just days after an LAPD K9 officer discovered a massive cache of drugs, money, and weapons concealed inside a vending machine.
The seized drugs included a kilogram of fentanyl and 15 pounds of heroin. The potential harm that could have been inflicted by the fentanyl alone is staggering, with the ability to claim the lives of over half a million people if it had made its way onto the streets.
This incident in Los Angeles echoes a similar case that unfolded in July 2022 in Pinellas County, Florida.
Blerim Ljena, the owner of Brickhouse Pizza, was accused by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office of operating a drug ring from his restaurant.
Detectives executed a raid, leading to the discovery of various illicit substances, including hydrocodone, morphine, alprazolam, lorazepam, oxycodone, Dilaudid, marijuana, cocaine, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, and GHB. Ljena faced multiple charges related to drug trafficking.
As for the drug raid in the California pizza parlor, the authorities have yet to identify any suspects involved.
