A Drug Trafficking is one of the possible Plots in a game of Covert Action. In-game is it referred to as a "Drug Smuggle" plot. This is one of the rarer plots in the game, and one of the most complicated in structure. This plot is unique in that it has two separate Primary Crimes to be thwarted. With many Participants involved, and the branching nature of the plot, this one should pose a challenge even for advanced players. To mitigate this somewhat, the mission employs three different Couriers, who serve to slow down events a little, and increase your potential score.
In a Drug Trafficking scenario, 7 participants attempt to process a large quantity of Raw Cocaine and distribute the processed Crack Cocaine (or, in the case of the Super Drug Mission Set, an enhanced version of Mescal) into the marketplace.
It is hard to break this specific plot into discernable steps. Agent activation, Minor Crimes and various other activities seem to occur without any specific order. Still, the plot can be boiled down to several "branches" which occur more or less simultaneously. To maintain uniformity between the Plot articles, they will be described the same as other plots, as four different sections:
The plot begins with several participants planning the operation and getting in touch with some of the other participants.
In the next step, several Minor Agents acquire items by performing Minor Crimes. The Drug Supplier sends a shipment of raw drugs to the Chemist's lab. A Supplier sends chemicals used in the manufacturing process to the lab as well. In the meanwhile, money is withdrawn and delivered by no less than two Couriers to the Drug Supplier as payment.
In the third step, the Chemist commits the Primary Crime by processing the drugs into their finished state.
In the fourth step, the processed drugs are sent via Courier to the Drug Kingpin, who will commit another Primary Crime by distributing it into the Black Market. He also contacts the Mr. Big of the operation to let him know that everything went according to plan.
Mission Sets[]
The Drug Trafficking plot appears in two different Mission Sets:
In both of these sets, the Drug Trafficking plot will always occur as the final (Ultimate) mission in the set. The set will end after this mission is completed, whether the plot has been foiled or not.
Participants[]
Note: Two of the Participants in this plot have the word "Supplier" in their role name. Do not confuse them.
Activates the Delivered Money and the Pickup Man.Withdraws $1,000,000 from a shady bank account.Contacts Mr. Big to inform him that the mission is about to be completed.Distributes the drugs to the market.
Waits until the end of the plot to receive news of its progress.
Items[]
During a Drug Trafficking plot, four items are created and will move between participants as the plot dictates:
Icon
Item Name
Sequence of Events
Raw Drugs
Acquired by the Drug Supplier as his opening action in the plot.Delivered to the Chemist sometime afterwards.The Chemist "loses" this item during the first Major Crime.
Chemicals
Acquired by the Supplier in a Minor Crime during the second part of the plot.Delivered to the Chemist sometime afterwards.The Chemist "loses" this item during the first Primary Crime.
Processed Drugs
Acquired by the Chemist during the first Primary Crime.Delivered to the Pickup Man, and from him to the Drug Kingpin.The Drug Kingpin "loses" this item during the second Primary Crime.
$1,000,000
Acquired by the Drug Kingpin in a Minor Crime during the second part of the plot.Delivered to the Delivered Money, and from him to the Drug Supplier.The Drug Supplier will try to take this time with him Into Hiding.
Plot Outline[]
The following actions are performed by the participants in the plot.
Please Note![]
The Drug Trafficking Plot is extremely complex compared to all other plots. Not only does it involve 7 different participants (plus a Mastermind!), it has several different kinds of things happening all at the same time. Initial Activation of agents takes place alongside Acquisition of items from the very first day, Items appear out of nowhere and are sent in the mail, one participant conforms to no less than three different Role Archtypes, not to mention there being two different Primary Crimes to foil!
For this reason it would be very difficult to portray the mission in a simple-to-read yet accurate format. Therefore the action list below does not nearly portray the mission as it would actually take place (with or without intervention from Max)! Instead, it is layed out in a structure more similar to that of the other plots, including Activation, Acquisition, Execution and Resolution.
So remember, this is definitely not the way it is actually going to go down, it's just written this way to help you understand what is going to happen. Actually keeping track of the progress of the plot and knowing when and where to be every hour is really up to your experience. This is, in fact, the most difficult plot in the game.
Activation[]
During this stage, the various Organizers activate one another as well as all of the Minor Agents and Couriers.
The Drug Supplier sends a message to the Middleman, and acquires the Raw Drugs.
"A large quantity of raw cocaine is now ready for delivery. Price as agreed on previous shipment."
Note: The Raw Drugs item does not exist before this message is sent. The item will appear in the Drug Supplier's possession immediately when he sends this message. There will be no CIA Bulletin.
The Middleman sends a message to the Drug Kingpin.
"We have received your latest drug order. Our chemists will soon begin processing the raw base. I expect payment without delay."
The Drug Kingpin sends a message to the Delivered Money.
"New drug shipment is expected shortly. Please deliver the amount of one million dollars to our usual supplier."
The Drug Kingpin sends a message to the Pickup Man.
"New drug consignment is being processed. Pick up this shipment from the lab and deliver it to me."
"A large quantity of chemicals is required for the latest drug shipment. Deliver them to our primary lab without delay."
By this point none of the above participants have completed their role in the plot. However, remember that this plot is extremely complex, and that this stage will probably end during the Acquisition stage, not before it. This means that by the time all the above messages are delivered, one or more of the above participants may have already compelted their missions and will go into hiding!
Acquisitions[]
During this stage, the Minor Agents perform Minor Crimes to acquire the necessary items for this plot. All items are finally delivered to the Major Agent. In addition, money is withdrawn and delivered to one of the Organizers via no fewer than two Couriers.
The Drug Suppliervisits the Chemist and delivers the Raw Drugs.
"The drugs are packed in five-kilo bags. Normal chemical processing is required."
"Bulletin: (INTERPOL Drug Enforcement) A large quantity of polyethylene ether, often used in the purification of illegal drugs, was purchased today in the city of <Supplier's Location> by person or persons unknown."
The Suppliervisits the Chemist and delivers the Chemicals.
"Here are the chemicals you required to process the drugs. Time is of the essence."
The Delivered Money acquires $1,000,000.
"Bulletin: INTERPOL BankWatch... A large quantity of cash has been withdrawn from <Bank Name> in <Financier's location>. This transaction appears quite suspicious."
The Delivered Moneyvisits the Middleman and delivers the $1,000,000.
"The money is all here. It is a pleasure doing business with you."
The Middlemansends the $1,000,000 to the Drug Supplier.
Note: The money is sent by wire. There is no meeting or message sent between the Middleman and Drug Supplier. The money will simply appear in the Drug Supplier's possession. There is no way to detect the event as it occurs.
By the end of this stage, the Drug Supplier, Supplier, Delivered Money and Middleman should have completed their missions and will attempt to go into hiding unless Arrested or Turned.
Execution[]
The Chemist commits the first Primary Crime by processing the raw drugs into their final form, acquiring the Processed Drugs.
Note: This is the first of twoPrimary Crimes committed during this plot. This specific Crime does not generate a Bulletin, but for all other purposes behaves as a Primary Crime.
No agents complete their mission at the end of this stage.
Resolution[]
During this stage, the Processed Drugs make their way from one Major Agent to another by Courier, in order to commit yet another Primary Crime. The Mastermind is informed that all went according to plan.
The Chemistvisits the Pickup Man and delivers the Processed Drugs.
"The drugs have been processed and purified. They have been packed into two-kilo bags."
The Pickup Manvisits the Drug Kingpin and delivers the Processed Drugs.
"The drugs are all here. No problem with customs inspection thanks to our inside contact."
"Dear Mastermind. The drugs are about to be distributed. You may now proceed with your secret mission."
The Drug Kingpin commits the second Primary Crime by distributing the Processed Drugs into the black market.
"BULLETIN: InterPol... A large quantity of illegal drugs has entered distribution in the city of <Drug Kingpin's Location>. Major international drug cartels are believed behind this new drug influx."
By this point, all remaining participants, including the Mastermind (Mr. Big) will have completed their missions and will attempt to go into hiding unless Arrested or Turned.
Scoring[]
This is a list of the points you will be rewarded for performing various actions during the course of the mission.
Raw Drugs while activating the Middleman.Waits to receive payment for these drugs at the end of the plot.
$1,000,000 from the Delivered Money to the Drug Supplier.
Chemicals used for drug processing.Delivers the chemicals directly to the Chemist.
Processed Drugs.
