When the Baltimore PD comes under pressure for their failings in combating a drugs-related homicide, a new detail is set up to placate the politicians. Their impossible task is bringing the elusive Avon Barksdale to justice.

When a witness who testified against D'Angelo Barksdale is discovered murdered, McNulty and the detail take the opportunity to link the killing to Avon Barksdale's drugs crew.

Detectives' inquiries spark a minor riot, causing a boy to lose an eye and giving police a black eye publicity-wise.

The team's raids prove wholly unsuccessful. McNulty cannot convince any of the suspects to give up Barksdale, and Bodie manages to escape from lock-up.

When the detail discover that Barksdale's drug crew uses pagers to communicate, McNulty becomes determined to get hold of one to listen in on the organisation.

McNulty and Greggs try to delay some arrests as Rawls plans to carry them out early; Omar makes the decision to testify in court when he sees his lover's murdered body.