Early 2000's. In an urban Newark neighborhood called Avon, a group of teenagers looking for respect and escape drift into small-time drug dealing, only to find themselves pulled into a growing network far bigger and more dangerous than they understand. Meanwhile, a nice yet somber detective named Paul Rinaldi investigates a string of violent overdoses connected to a growing drug operation in the same area.
Marcus Hill balances school, his friends Reggie Price, Corey Bennett, Daniel Morales and Daniel's little brother Mikey Morales, and a tense home life with his older brother Desmond while Detective Paul Rinaldi investigates a violent string of overdoses connected to a growing drug operation in the suburbs of Newark. After an encounter with a mid-level dealer named Darnell “Nell” Freeman at the boys school basketball court, Marcus and his friends are offered an easy opportunity to make quick money. Nell hands over a bag of drug product stamped with a line across the packaging, which Marcus, Reggie and Corey sell to Stacks, the leader of the Deuce Sevens. The episode ends as Marcus walks away with a handful of cash, enticed by how easy it was to make the money.
The boys begin running small errands for Nell and quickly become addicted to the fast cash and newfound confidence it brings. Paul pushes deeper into a neglected investigation while tension grows between him and his family. Marcus argues with his older brother Desmond, who is wondering why Marcus only comes home late at night. Marcus tells Desmond he doesn't need him and storms off, his ego growing because of the drug business. Nell kills a man in his apartment for not completing a deal.
Marcus and Reggie are sent out to talk to a rich man by Nell. They are told to ask for money that was never given after a deal, but Nell doesn't tell Marcus and Reggie that the rich man is the leader of the Capo's, a powerful gang. An anxious Reggie ends up causing problems, which angers the Capo gang. Nell is furious and tells a terrified Reggie that he can no longer work for him. Meanwhile, Daniel grows increasingly uncomfortable with the violence surrounding him and how his friends are changing. Paul interrogates a drug addict named Mooch, suspected of killing his friend to steal a drug off of him. Paul eventually makes Mooch confess after telling Mooch the story of how his little brother died to a cop, making Mooch trust Paul enough to tell him the truth.
Marcus and Corey are sent across the city on a tense delivery during one of the coldest days of the year, forcing the two into an unexpected conversation. Despite their long friendship, Marcus learns things he never knew about Corey, who opens up about his estranged relationship with his priest father and his deep conflict over doing a line of work that so clearly violates the Christian Code. Marcus finds it hard to understand Corey's viewpoint. Meanwhile, Paul’s investigation takes him to Avon Street, where he accidentally crosses paths with Reggie. The two engage in a tense conversation, with Paul completely unaware that he is speaking directly to one of his primary suspects. Reggie manages not to reveal anything but leaves the confrontation with his heart pounding.
After a Capo member does a drive by shooting on one of Nell's dealers, panic spreads through the neighborhood and the boys are forced to reconsider their involvement in the drug business, while Nell talks to Mac, his leader, about what to do. As rumors spread and pressure builds, Marcus begins drifting further from Daniel while Paul becomes convinced a larger operation is hiding in plain sight. Nell reluctantly hires Reggie again.
The group fractures after weeks of paranoia and silence. Reggie becomes increasingly reckless after his mother is diagnosed with cancer. Daniel distances himself from the others, and Marcus takes on more responsibility inside the drug business. At home, Paul’s obsession with the case begins affecting his family life and work life, as his colleagues begin to wonder if he is becoming too obsessed with the case.
When a dangerous errand pulls Marcus and Reggie deeper into the organization than ever before, the two are forced to intimidate a man who owes money to Nell. After a long, awkward conversation, Marcus accidentally shoots the man when his revolver goes off, leaving him and Reggie in shock. Meanwhile, Paul uncovers a connection between several unsolved cases that finally points him toward Nell, getting him closer to stopping the drug business than ever before.
As police pressure quietly closes in and tensions inside the crew reach a breaking point, Marcus is forced to decide whether to turn himself into the police or to hide the body of the man he killed. After stressing to himself and almost tearing up, Marcus decides to hide the body, with Reggie helping him. Paul finally figures out the location of Nell after intimidating one of his dealers. After going to Nell's house a shootout between the two occurs, ending with Paul bringing Nell into his car, arrested.