Part 23

Master drug dealing in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Learn about Trade Tips, gang affiliations, security cameras, police busts, and safehouse trophies for 100% completion.

At this stage of the game, money management is crucial. Consider focusing on money-based Odd Jobs to fund your drug ventures. To maximize profits, utilize the Trade Tips introduced in the "Tricks of the Triad" mission. You can manage up to three Trade Tips simultaneously, accessible via the Trade Info option by pressing Start.

Each Trade Tip has an expiration date, indicated in red as it approaches. Trade Info also allows you to check your inventory, the Turf Map, and trade statistics. Completing a Trade Tip (Sell) by buying all featured Drugs will automatically end the tip, often triggering a new one.

When taking advantage of a Trade Tip (Buy), prioritize gang-affiliated Dealers. For instance, if a Dealer offers a good price for Heroin, visit the Midtown Gangsters' Dealers, as Heroin is their primary product. After clearing them out, if you have space, visit Triad-affiliated Dealers, who also stock Heroin. Sell your accumulated Heroin to the Trade Tip Buyer for substantial profit.

Dealers typically replenish their stock in about a day. Since Trade Tip (Buy) lasts several days, you can repeat this process to earn significant money quickly. If you have a large quantity of a drug with no active Trade Tip (Buy), sell it to a gang-affiliated Dealer who prioritizes that drug, like selling Acid to African Americans or Midtown Gangsters for a better price than neutral Dealers.

Neutral Dealers usually have small amounts of random drugs and are best visited to map them. Therefore, trading exclusively with gang-affiliated Dealers is the fastest way to make money. When selling, a Star indicates the featured drug for a Trade Tip Buyer, a Red Arrow signifies a loss, and a Green Arrow indicates a profit. Use judgment when selling; avoid losses and consider the profit margin.

When buying, a small loss is acceptable as you can recoup it later, especially with a Trade Tip (Buy). If your Holdall is full and you don't wish to sell immediately, store items in your Stash Box at a Safehouse.

D. Security Cameras

As mentioned in "Tricks of the Triad," Security Cameras monitor illegal activity, particularly drug dealing. Dealers near Cameras sell at higher prices and buy at lower prices due to increased risk, and trading near them raises the chance of a Bust. Cameras can only be destroyed with explosives like Grenades or Molotovs. Molotovs are recommended for their area of effect and less noticeable noise, though acquiring Flame Retard from the Fire Fighter side-mission first is advised to prevent self-immolation.

Destroying all 100 Security Cameras is required for 100% Completion and makes Sean appear on the map, significantly reducing the risk of Busta, though not eliminating it entirely.

E. Police

Busts can occur during dealing, usually when buying, resulting in a 2-Star Wanted Rating. If caught, you lose weapons, drugs, and the money spent on them. More expensive products like Coke and Heroin carry a higher risk of Busts.

F. Safehouse Trophies

Dealing with Dealers earns you trophies that appear in Safehouses, which are necessary for 100% Completion. For example, the Golden Binoculars are awarded for finding 40 Dealers.