So you’ve been grinding through the grime of Schedule 1, and you’re tired of pushing low-grade weed or whatever cheap pills you've managed to scrap together. You want the white gold. You want the big margins. Specifically, you want to know how to unlock cocaine because, let’s be honest, that’s where the real money (and the real danger) starts in this game.
It isn't just handed to you. This isn't one of those games where you hit level five and suddenly a menu pops up saying "Congrats, you're a kingpin." Nah. It’s a slog. You have to earn the trust of the right people, and more importantly, you have to survive the heat that comes with moving high-tier weight.
The Reputation Wall: Why You Can't See It Yet
Basically, the game hides higher-tier substances behind a "Reputation" or "Street Cred" system that feels incredibly slow at first. If you’re looking at your trade menu and wondering why the option is greyed out or just totally missing, it’s because the suppliers don’t know you. Why would they risk a multi-kilo shipment on a kid who’s still selling baggies on a street corner? They wouldn't.
You need to focus on your District Influence. Every time you complete a successful deal without getting busted or robbed, your rep ticks up. But here is the kicker: different districts have different "specialties." If you’re hanging out in the suburban maps, you might never see the high-end stuff. You’ve got to move into the industrial or downtown zones where the big players congregate.
Most players make the mistake of trying to jump the gun. They try to find a shortcut. Honestly, the shortcut is just volume. Sell what you have, do it fast, and don't get caught. Once you hit a specific threshold—usually around level 15 or 20 depending on your current character build—the "Wholesaler" contact will trigger a new dialogue line.
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Finding the Right Contact for the Schedule 1 Game
To unlock cocaine, you have to trigger the "Southside Connection" questline. This usually happens after you’ve successfully moved a certain amount of "Schedule 2" substances without a hitch.
Keep an eye on your in-game phone. You’re looking for a message from an unknown contact that mentions "imported goods" or "the white lady." Once that message hits, you’ll be directed to a meet-up. Don't go in there guns blazing. It’s a scripted interaction where you have to prove your liquidity. If you don't have enough cash on hand—usually several thousand in whatever the local currency is—the dealer will literally walk away, and you’ll have to wait days in-game for another shot.
The Logistics of the First Shipment
Once the contact is live, you don't just "get" the product. You have to arrange a drop. This introduces the smuggling mechanic. You’ll need a vehicle with hidden compartments. If you try to drive a brick of coke across the city in a standard sedan, the patrol AI will sniff you out in seconds.
- Upgrade your trunk space first.
- Get a "Cleaner" on your payroll to reduce heat.
- Never use the same route twice.
The game uses a dynamic heat map. If you keep using the same alleyway for drops, the police presence in that sector will spike. It's smart. It forces you to actually think like a trafficker rather than a delivery driver.
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Managing the Risk vs. Reward
Why bother? The profit margins on cocaine in Schedule 1 are nearly triple what you get from basic narcotics. But the penalties are insane. If you get caught with a Schedule 1 substance, the "Courtroom" mini-game is almost impossible to win, and you’ll likely lose your entire inventory and a huge chunk of your bankroll in "legal fees" (bribes).
You also have to deal with the purity mechanic. Once you unlock the substance, you can cut it at your safehouse.
Some people think they should just sell 100% pure stuff to grow their rep faster. That's a trap. Your customers will overdose, which brings massive heat to your territory. On the flip side, if you cut it too much with baking soda or whatever filler you've bought, your customers will turn hostile or just stop buying. You’ve gotta find that 70-80% sweet spot. It’s a balancing act that the game doesn't explicitly explain, but you'll feel it in your wallet pretty quickly.
Equipment You Actually Need Before Unlocking
Don't even try to start this questline until you have a few specific items in your safehouse.
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- A Digital Scale: You can't eyeball this stuff. Precision matters for your margins.
- The Industrial Press: This allows you to turn loose powder into bricks, which are way easier to transport in bulk.
- Encrypted Radios: This helps you spot police checkpoints before you’re staring at a siren.
If you don't have these, you're just a glorified middleman. The game is designed to punish players who try to skip the "infrastructure" phase of their empire.
Navigating the Rival Gangs
Once you start moving cocaine, you are officially on the radar of the rival AI factions. They don't like new competition. You will start seeing "Interception" events where rival dealers try to hijack your shipments.
This is where the game shifts from a management sim to more of an action-tactical experience. You’ll need to hire muscle. Look for NPCs with high "Aggression" and "Loyalty" stats. Don't cheap out here. A low-loyalty guard will literally run away the moment the bullets start flying, or worse, they’ll flip on you if the cops pick them up.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Empire
If you want to move up the ladder and stop being a small-time dealer, follow this sequence:
- Grind the Suburbs: Stay under the radar and build your bankroll to at least $10,000.
- Move to the Industrial Zone: This is where the Southside Connection contact is most likely to spawn.
- Invest in a "Mule": Hire an NPC specifically for transport so your main character isn't at risk during the drop.
- Watch the Purity: Use your lab equipment to test every batch you buy; suppliers will sometimes try to rip you off with low-quality product once you've become a regular.
- Expand Your Storage: Buy a secondary safehouse that isn't connected to your main operations. If one gets raided, you don't want to lose everything.
The transition to high-level dealing in Schedule 1 is the turning point of the game. It changes the pace entirely. Suddenly, every police siren makes you jump, and every random NPC on a street corner looks like a potential snitch. That tension is exactly why people play. Just remember: in this game, greed is usually what gets you a "Game Over" screen. Expand slowly, keep your purity consistent, and never carry more than you’re willing to lose.