The long-awaited "Cartel" update has finally arrived in Schedule 1 along with version 0.4.0, introducing a new intense storyline involving the influential Benzies family. This criminal organization controls a significant portion of Hyland Point from the shadows, and now players can either collaborate with them or end their reign in an explosive manner.

Experienced players who have previously played the game and made significant progress in their drug business can complete the new quest in about half an hour. However, newcomers will need more time to gain influence and unlock all the necessary areas.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the cartel storyline and how to complete it in Schedule 1.

How to Unlock the Cartel Storyline in Schedule 1

Before starting the story, you need to gain access to the Westville area in Hyland Point if you haven't done so already. After this, you will receive a message from Thomas Benzies inviting you to meet at the parking lot near Taco Ticklers.

If you're new to the game or haven't progressed much, you need to keep playing until you receive the appropriate message from Thomas.

If you've already made sufficient progress but haven't received any message, try sleeping in the game and walking around the area to trigger it.

You can find Thomas in a black SUV — this will start the cartel storyline in Schedule 1.

Accept or Decline Thomas's Deal in Schedule 1

During the conversation with Thomas, he offers two paths. If you agree to his terms of cooperation, you'll have to supply the cartel with a certain amount of goods weekly at about half the market price and limit your activities to the Northtown and Westville areas.

If you choose to decline the deal, it will mean the start of a drug war: cartel members will begin harassing your dealers and occasionally stealing money or goods.

Losses from such attacks occur randomly: sometimes your dealers fend them off, sometimes they lose everything. Although joining the cartel and cooperating with them may seem safer, only the option to decline allows you to unlock the "Finishing the Job" storyline and completely destroy the Benzies empire.

If you decide to fight the cartel, your first task is to increase your influence in Hyland Point. This means expanding your client base, selling more goods, and strengthening your network until "Finishing the Job" unlocks. The mission activates after a conversation with Uncle Nelson via a payphone.

How to Complete the "Finishing the Job" Mission in Schedule 1

Nelson will tell you that the Benzies have hidden in the Hyland estate and will lay out a plan to eliminate them, so you'll need to prepare thoroughly.

First, visit Thompson Construction & Demo and pay Sam $10,000 to dig a tunnel under the estate. Then head to the chemical plant to meet Billy, who will exchange RDX explosives for 20 grams of your valuable goods. Once you have the RDX, take it to Stan at the warehouse.

Stan won't start work until you deal with the thief stealing his supplies. So you'll need to eliminate the thief. He appears at the docks at night and has a gun, so bring a weapon to make it easier to take him down. Once you've dealt with him, Stan will agree to make a bomb with the RDX.

When the bomb is ready, sleep to skip time until Sam informs you that the tunnel is ready. Plant the explosives under the Hyland estate and move to a safe distance. After about 45 seconds, the estate will explode, marking the end of the Benzies family's reign. You'll receive confirmation of their defeat and the opportunity to purchase Hyland Manor for yourself.

At this point, the global cartel storyline concludes, as well as the "Finishing the Job" quest.