Narco Wars Season 3 Episode 1 Chasing the Dragon: How Sgt. Smack Hooked Up Harlem

Narco Wars season 3 episode 1, titled "Chasing the Dragon: How Sgt. Smack Hooked Up Harlem," delves into the dark world of the heroin epidemic that gripped New York City in the 1970s. The episode focuses on the rise of notorious drug kingpin Frank Lucas, and his partnership with corrupt NYPD detective, Nicky Barnes, also known as "Mr. Untouchable."

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, drug enforcement agents, and former drug dealers, the episode explores how Lucas and Barnes managed to smuggle pure heroin from Southeast Asia into the United States and establish a massive drug empire in Harlem. The episode also highlights the devastating impact that this heroin epidemic had on the city's communities, particularly the African American population.

Viewers are taken on a journey through the gritty streets of Harlem, where drug dealers openly peddled their wares, and the police seemed powerless to stop them. The episode features never-before-seen footage of Barnes in his heyday, as well as interviews with former Harlem residents and drug dealers who describe the lure of heroin and the enormous profits that could be made.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are left to ponder the question of how one man, Frank Lucas, managed to become one of the biggest drug dealers in Harlem's history. Lucas himself is interviewed throughout the episode, providing insights into his early life, his rise to power, and the eventual downfall of his empire.

In the end, "Chasing the Dragon: How Sgt. Smack Hooked Up Harlem" is a harrowing look at one of the most dangerous eras in New York City's history. The episode chronicles the rise of a drug epidemic that would devastate entire communities and leave a lasting impact on the city. Through interviews with those who lived through it, viewers will come away with a greater understanding of the complex web of corruption, greed, and violence that fueled the heroin epidemic of the 1970s.