In the mid-1970s, the newly formed DEA recruits two Mexican-American street cops: Kiki Camarena and Hector Berrellez. Kiki is assigned to Guadalajara, home turf of the Guadalajara Cartel, while Hector targets cartel operations in Los Angeles. The Cartel is putting cops on its payroll, including three Jalisco state policemen. When Kiki is kidnapped it rocks both sides of the border.

Hector’s informants give him groundbreaking evidence – first-hand, eyewitness accounts of Kiki's kidnapping, torture, and murder. He learns the incident took place in a cartel hacienda where high-level Mexican government officials were present, along with a mysterious Cuban. They also reveal the cartel and government's attempts to cover up the crime.

Hector identifies the mysterious Cuban who interrogated Kiki as veteran CIA operative Felix Rodriguez, a key figure in the Iran-Contra scandal. Although warned not to take his investigation further, Hector refuses and is eventually forced into retirement. The case languishes for years, and then a new source comes forward with a shocking allegation.