In 2001, small-time criminal Claude is betrayed by his girlfriend Catalina (voiced by Cynthia Farrell) during a bank heist outside Liberty City. Left for dead, Claude is arrested, but escapes during his transfer to prison when members of the Colombian Cartel ambush his transport to abduct another prisoner. During his escape, Claude befriends fellow convict and explosives expert 8-Ball (Guru), who gives him a place to stay and introduces him to the Leone Mafia family for work. After assisting them with various operations, including winning a war against a local group of Triads, he earns the respect of Don Salvatore Leone (Frank Vincent). Learning that the Cartel are manufacturing a new street drug to fund their expansion into Liberty City, Salvatore orders Claude to destroy their floating drug lab, which he does with 8-Ball's help.