GTA 5: Tommy Vercetti’s Return and the Vice City Drug Deal Explained

[BlazeTiger]

Who is Tommy Vercetti and why is he important in GTA 5?

In general, most players know Tommy Vercetti as the main protagonist of GTA: Vice City. In the context of this storyline, Tommy has just been released from prison after serving fifteen years for a botched hit that left eleven people dead. The Forelli Crime Family, which he once worked for in Liberty City, has a vested interest in his actions even after his release.

Sonny Forelli, the head of the Forelli family, is concerned that Tommy roaming freely in Liberty City could hurt the family's reputation. Most players will notice that this concern sets the stage for sending Tommy elsewhere, rather than trying to rein him back into Liberty City’s criminal scene immediately.

Why is Tommy sent to Vice City?

Sonny decides that Vice City is a better fit for Tommy’s next operations. Vice City is described as “24-carat gold” due to the high profits from drug trades and other illegal activities. In practice, this gives the player a chance to explore a new city with fresh missions and opportunities for money-making, rather than dealing with familiar Liberty City rivals.

In general gameplay, this also introduces new characters, like Ken Rosenberg, who serves as the Forelli family’s lawyer and contact in Vice City. Most players find that Ken is critical early on, both as a guide and as a source of mission setup.

How does the first Vice City mission unfold?

Upon arrival in Vice City, Tommy, Ken Rosenberg, and two mobsters—Harry and Lee—are driven to a drug deal with the Vance Crime Family at Viceport. Players should expect the usual GTA-style risk: the deal is ambushed by Ricardo Diaz's hitmen, resulting in the deaths of Harry, Lee, and one of the dealers. Tommy and Ken barely escape.

The key takeaway for players is that the game quickly shifts from story setup to action. Free-roam begins immediately after this initial ambush, giving players time to explore Vice City, recover, and plan their next moves. For most players, this is a chance to familiarize themselves with the new city before the next story mission.

What happens during the ambush?

During the drug deal, Victor Vance delivers high-grade Colombian cocaine to Tommy. The transaction seems straightforward, but three hidden hitmen open fire as soon as the exchange is about to conclude. Tommy escapes in Ken’s Admiral, while the sellers and other participants are killed.

In practice, most players realize that this mission teaches a few important gameplay lessons:

Always check your surroundings during deals or high-risk missions.

Vehicles like the Admiral can be crucial for quick escapes.

Using cover and timing your movements can reduce early deaths in missions.

Interestingly, this event also demonstrates the chaotic nature of GTA’s criminal underworld—deals can fail no matter how well-prepared you are.

How does Tommy handle the aftermath?

After escaping, Tommy drives to the Ocean View Hotel to inform Sonny Forelli about the botched deal. At this point, the player is fully in free-roam mode and can explore Vice City, engage in side activities, or prepare for the next mission.

Ken Rosenberg, meanwhile, returns to his office to sleep, showing how non-playable characters in GTA 5 have routines. Most players notice this adds realism to the city environment, making it feel alive even outside mission time.

What are the strategic implications of Vice City missions?

From a gameplay perspective, Tommy’s early missions in Vice City highlight several strategies:

Recon and Planning: After the ambush, players usually spend time understanding enemy patterns, learning routes, and choosing the right vehicles for missions.

Cash Management: Tommy starts with a limited amount of cash supplied by Sonny. Most players use this money carefully, buying weapons, vehicles, and occasionally safehouses to secure a foothold in the city.

Expanding Influence: Just like Sonny wants a cut of Tommy’s operations, players gradually grow their criminal influence, moving from small deals to controlling large parts of Vice City.

For players looking to shortcut some early challenges, it’s worth noting that some turn to external resources or services. While risky, this includes options to buy GTA 5 modded accounts online at U4N, which can provide immediate access to high-level progress and resources. In general, using such accounts comes with the usual precautions regarding account security and fairness.

Who dies in this storyline and why it matters?

Key character deaths happen during the ambush: Victor Vance, Harry, and Lee are all killed by Ricardo Diaz's hitmen. This sets a tone for the game that missions often carry serious consequences, and the criminal world is unpredictable. Most players quickly learn that saving every character is not always possible, and mission failures can drastically affect the story progression.

Practical tips for new players

For players new to this mission or GTA in general, here are some practical tips:

Pay attention to cut-scenes: They contain valuable information about mission goals and potential threats.

Use vehicles wisely: The Admiral or similar cars are your best bet for escape after an ambush.

Explore in free-roam: After the first missions, Vice City has numerous side opportunities that can build cash and skills.

Plan for combat: Hitmen often appear unexpectedly. Positioning, cover, and weapon choice are critical.

Learn the map: Knowing Vice City’s layout helps you avoid traffic jams and ambush zones during high-risk missions.

By following these approaches, most players find that they can progress efficiently while enjoying the narrative flow of GTA 5.