Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in Harlem. He does so by buying heroin directly from a source in South East Asia, and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. Richie Roberts is a dedicated and honest policeman who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government and is determined to bring down Lucas' drug empire. Based on a true story.