Drug dealing is the fastest way to make money in GTA Chinatown Wars, but only if you know who buys what. This guide explains how GTA Chinatown Wars drug dealing works, which gang sells and buys each drug, how to read prices and tip-offs, and how security cameras and upgrades boost your profits.
Key facts
- Unlocked in: Tricks of the Triad, Wu “Kenny” Lee’s mission that introduces the trade.
- Six drugs: Downers, Weed, Acid, Ecstasy, Coke and Heroin.
- 80 drug dealers across Liberty City.
- Holdall: carries 50 bags, upgraded to 100 after both Excess Delivery missions.
- 100 security cameras: each one destroyed makes drugs cheaper, up to 40%.
How GTA Chinatown Wars drug dealing works
The principle is simple: buy low from one dealer, sell high to another. When you open a deal, every drug shows a green or red arrow. Green means the price is good compared with the market value and you will make a profit; red means you will lose money on the trade.
Huang stores drugs in two places. The stash box, found in every safehouse, holds an unlimited amount and is never lost. The holdall is what Huang carries and deals from: it holds 50 bags, or 100 once you complete both Excess Delivery missions (Alphamail in Bohan and Liberty State Delivery in Algonquin). Anything in the holdall is confiscated if you get busted.
The six drugs and their value
| Drug | Type | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Heroin | Powder | High — can exceed $1,000 per bag |
| Coke | Powder | High — can exceed $1,000 per bag |
| Ecstasy | Hallucinogen | Medium — usually $200 to $500 |
| Acid | Hallucinogen | Medium — usually $200 to $500 |
| Weed | Depressant | Low — rarely above $20 |
| Downers | Depressant | Low — rarely above $20 |
The expensive drugs make the most money per trip, but they also tie up the most cash. Early in the game, Ecstasy and Acid are a safer way to build up funds.
Which gang sells and buys each drug
Dealers in each gang’s territory sell certain drugs cheaply and pay well for others. Trading between gangs is the key to big profits, for example buying Coke from the Angels of Death and selling it to the Russian Mafia.
| Gang | Sells cheap | Buys high |
|---|---|---|
| African Americans | Downers | Acid |
| Angels of Death | Coke | Ecstasy |
| Irish American Killers | Acid | Ecstasy |
| Jamaicans | Weed | Downers |
| Midtown Gangsters | Heroin | Acid |
| The Mob | Ecstasy | Coke |
| Russian Mafia | Ecstasy | Coke |
| Spanish Lords | Coke | Ecstasy |
| Triads | Downers | Heroin |
Check the Turf Map on Huang’s PDA to see which gang controls which area, and plan your route between two territories with opposite prices.
Tip-offs, busts and security cameras
Email tip-offs
Dealers regularly email Huang about special offers: someone selling cheap or buying at a premium. A tip-off lasts two days before prices go back to normal, so act quickly. You cannot trade during a mission.
Police busts
Some deals get raided by the LCPD, giving you a two-star wanted level. The bigger the deal, the higher the risk. Lose the police before you get busted, or you lose everything in the holdall.
Security cameras
There are 100 security cameras around Liberty City, introduced by your first contact, Liam. Destroy them with grenades or Molotov cocktails. Each camera destroyed lowers drug prices slightly, up to 40% in total, and reduces the chance of a raid. On the original release, destroying all 100 and syncing with Rockstar Social Club also unlocked a special dealer, Sean, on Colony Island, selling at half price.
Best drug dealing tips
- Only buy on a green arrow and only sell on a green arrow.
- Use the stash box to keep stock safe and carry only what you plan to sell.
- Destroy security cameras early: cheaper drugs and fewer raids make every trip more profitable.
- Follow the tip-offs: they are the most profitable trades in the game.
- Looking for other shortcuts? See our GTA Chinatown Wars cheats.
Video walkthrough
Prefer to watch? This video shows it in action.
FAQ
How do you unlock drug dealing in GTA Chinatown Wars?
Drug dealing is introduced in the mission Tricks of the Triad, given by Wu “Kenny” Lee.
What is the most profitable drug in GTA Chinatown Wars?
Heroin and Coke are the most valuable, and their prices can exceed $1,000 per bag, so they make the most money per trade.
How many drug dealers are in GTA Chinatown Wars?
There are 80 drug dealers across Liberty City.
How do you carry more drugs?
Complete both Excess Delivery missions to upgrade the holdall from 50 to 100 bags.
What do security cameras do in Chinatown Wars?
Each destroyed camera makes drugs slightly cheaper, up to 40%, and lowers the risk of police raids.
