The Pizza Connection Trial

The trial centered on a Mafia-run enterprise that distributed vast quantities of heroin and cocaine in the United States, and then laundered the cash before sending it back to the suppliers in Sicily. The U.S. defendants utilized a number of independently owned pizza parlors as fronts for narcotics sales and collections – hence the name “Pizza Connection”. Evidence at the trial proved that the enterprise shipped no less than $1.6 billion of heroin to the U.S. between 1975 and April 1984. Arrests of scores of conspirators were coordinated in the U.S., Italy, Switzerland and Spain on April 9, 1984, following the capture of Gaetano Badalamenti and several family members the previous day in Madrid, Spain. Badalamenti was the former boss of the Sicilian Mafia, and a key supplier of heroin and cocaine to the U.S. Mafia distributors.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza_Connection_Trial

Police: Heroin, cocaine, marijuana seized during drug bust

HUDSON FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – New York State Police arrested three people on drug charges. Police say they seized heroin, cocaine, and marijuana from at a residence and a building that house’s Chef Jeff’s Pizza. The following individuals were arrested: * Michael Santana, 35, of Hudson Falls, for 3rd degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and 3rd degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. * Cody Olden, 28, of Hudson Falls, for 3rd degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and 3rd degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. * Alfonso Santana, 41, of Hudson Falls, for 5th degree Conspiracy, 5th degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 2nd degree Criminal Possession of Marijuana. http://news10.com/2016/09/30/police-heroin-cocaine-marijuana-seized-during-drug-bust/

APEX, N.C. — The owner of an Apex pizzeria faces drug charges after police said heroin was sold at the restaurant.

John Pavlik, 30, of 118 Black Oak Place in Chapel Hill, was charged with three counts each of sales and delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, two counts of conspiracy to commit a dfelony and one count of maintaining a place of business for the use or sale of a controlled substance.

Pavlik owns Johnny's Pizza, at 1763 W. Williams St. in Apex, and police said they searched the restaurant Saturday after determining that heroin was being sold inside.

Police also search Mojo's Bar, at 1400 Vision Drive in Apex, and charged an employee with drug offenses.

Read more at http://www.wral.com/police-heroin-dealt-through-pizzeria/5255875/#dsHQIzkark82GOoY.99

Nineteen people are indicted in an alleged drug ring being run out of a pair of family-owned suburban pizza parlors

Despite their prior criminal history, one of three brothers accused of running a drug ring out of a pair of family-owned suburban pizza parlors on Friday said the charges against them are "ridiculous."

"I'm actually getting locked up right now," Elias Papandreou, 27, said via telephone from the Lake County Jail.  "If anybody can help us out, please do so.  I'm innocent.  This is ridiculous."

But authorities said Papandreou and two of his brothers, Jack and Kostatino "Gus" Papandreou, were selling narcotics, including cocaine, pot, heroin and ecstasy, out of Jack’s Pizza and Burgers, at 1000 N. Green Bay Road in Waukegan, and Jack’s Pizza and Burgers, at 500 Center St. in Grayslake.

Source: Drug Ring Charges "Ridiculous": Brother Says | NBC Chicago http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/19-Busted-in-Pizza-Drug-Ring-121402254.html#ixzz4SNaAGoKf

3 people arrested in heroin deal at Muncie pizza restaurant http://wishtv.com/2015/12/08/3-people-arrested-in-heroin-deal-at-muncie-pizza-restaurant/

Vermont restaurant owner accused of ordering over 80 pounds of heroin from Guatemala http://news10.com/2016/03/24/vermont-restaurant-owner-accused-of-trafficking-over-80-pounds-of-heroin-from-guatemala/