“Operation Extra Olives” Officers went deep undercover after receiving a tip that Papa John’s employees were selling cocaine.
Two employees were using the parking lot of the pizzeria in the 700 block of 228th Avenue Northeast for cocaine deals, Sgt. Cindi West wrote in a news release.
Detectives conducted four undercover drug buys there.
One of the dealers introduced the detectives to three other drug dealers in the area, West wrote, from whom detectives were able to also buy.
Deputies conducted search warrants Friday morning in Sammamish and Bellevue, recovering $28,000 in cash, a vehicle, and cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, oxycodone, LSD and methamphetamine.
Detectives searching the pizzeria found cocaine on various surfaces throughout the restaurant, West wrote, including the cash register and the hand-washing area.
King County health inspectors found no traces of cocaine in the restaurant later in the day.