Stakeout on Dope Street

In Los Angeles, late at night, Sgt. Fred Matthews and Officer Lynn Donahue arrest a pusher carrying two pounds of heroin. They are ambushed by Mitch Swadurski and Lenny Potter, who kill Matthews and wound Donahue, then kill the pusher after he tosses the heroin case into the underbrush. The case containing the drugs disappears into the night.

The next day, eighteen-year-old Ves Vespucci discovers the case while delivering groceries from his father's store. He and his friends Jim Bowers and Nick Raymond inspect it and find samples of women's cosmetics instead of drugs. The canister labeled face powder is discarded, though Jim keeps some powder for his girlfriend Kathy.

The boys pawn the briefcase and cash in on the haul. Nick convinces Jim and Ves to meet Danny, a heroin addict who can broker a sale. Jim uses part of the money to buy a bracelet for Kathy while Ves and Nick consider the possibilities.

Kathy reacts with unease to the profits, scolding Jim for profiting from others' weakness. Jim tries to explain where the money came from, but Kathy remains wary and resistant to the plan.

Danny describes how he got addicted and the brutal realities of heroin use. Jim is deeply moved by Danny's story and begins to doubt the plan to continue selling. The revelation shifts the trio's motivation from greed to moral conflict.

The pawnbroker reports the briefcase to the police after buying it from Nick. Lenny and Mitch learn from a local pusher that Danny has been selling heroin, tightening the net on the trio. The underworld and police exchange information as the case closes in.

Danny is brutally questioned by Lenny and Mitch at his shack about how he got the drugs. Nick returns to avoid the heat but is beaten for the earnings. The pressure drives the trio deeper into danger.

Ves is captured by Mitch and Lenny and forced to call Jim to report the rest of the drugs. Jim resolves to take the drugs to the police instead of continuing the scheme.

Jim retrieves the canister and heads toward the police, but the gangsters pursue him through the city. The looming confrontation signals the end of their scheme.

As the chase continues, Ves phones the police to report the situation, coordinating a response. The pursuit leads toward a power plant where Jim seeks cover.

Jim climbs a tower in a power plant to escape Mitch, who follows relentlessly. He finally pours the heroin from the canister onto Mitch's face, momentarily stunning him and drawing the police toward the scene.

Police arrive and capture Lenny, then shoot Mitch, who falls to his death. Jim is told that Nick is in the hospital from his injuries and is also arrested along with Ves, ending their involvement in the drug affair.