A D.E.A. Agent goes to Columbia to take on the Cartel. He learns that the Cartel is not above killing anyone who opposes them, like judges and Police. Eventually a man who worked for the Cartel, who is in an American prison, offers to help them take down the Cartel. So another Federal Agent poses a money launderer and the try to take the Cartel down.

Miami detective Sonny Crockett reluctantly teams with New York City cop Rico Tubbs when both of them end up pursuing a drug dealer who killed their respective partners.

Director Mario Van Peebles chronicles the complicated production of his father Melvin's classic 1971 film, "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song." Playing his father in the film, Van Peebles offers an unapologetic account of Melvin's brash and sometimes deceptive conduct on the set of the film, including questionable antics like writing bad checks, tricking a local fire department and allowing his son, Mario, to shoot racy sex scenes at the age of 11.