Episode Summary
The final episode chronicles the downfall of drug lord Lu Shaohua, from his capture and arrogant denial in court to his eventual death sentence in a private trial. He attempts to exploit a legal loophole but is ultimately outmaneuvered. The episode is marked by tragedy, including the shocking murder-suicide of an associate and his son, and culminates in the heroic but devastating death of the lead investigator, Lin Qiangfeng, during a separate operation after Lu's conviction. The story ends with the surviving characters mourning their fallen colleague and the final resolution of the case.
Spoiler Alert
The Narcotic Operation Episode 33: The Final Judgment
Following the capture of Lu Shaohua, a reporter from Beijing, Xiao Zeng, conducts a special interview with Lin Qiangfeng. To protect his identity, his face is obscured. Lin admits he has been fighting a five-year battle against Lu, having only seen him in person four times during that entire period. When Xiao Zeng mistakes his statement for boasting, Lin questions her perception, asking if she senses any pride in his words. He then provides a professional and objective evaluation of Lu Shaohua from a police officer's perspective.
Meanwhile, in prison, Lu Shaodong is stunned when he sees the news of his brother's arrest. Li An arrives at the detention center to interrogate Lu Shaohua, who arrogantly dismisses Li An for his low rank. Lu boasts that if he had just two more days, he would have successfully fled the country. Knowing his defeat is certain, he tries to play games with Li An, claiming he never personally harmed anyone and that if he didn't produce drugs, someone else would. Li An counters by listing the countless lives destroyed by the methamphetamine Lu produced over the years.He then presents a medical report showing that Wu Yanping had a miscarriage due to drug use, a revelation that leaves Lu Shaohua speechless.
In 2002, Lu Shaohua's public trial begins. The prosecutor reads out the charges of drug manufacturing, trafficking, and intentional homicide. However, Lu brazenly pleads not guilty, retracting all his previous confessions. He claims he only produced methamphetamine hydrochloride, which he deceitfully calls "rat poison," and falsely accuses the police of torturing him to extract a confession. The judge is forced to call a temporary recess.
Zhu Yan delves into legal regulations and discovers that Lu is exploiting a loophole; methamphetamine hydrochloride is not explicitly classified as an illegal drug in the existing laws.Lin Qiangfeng believes Lu's courtroom antics are merely a public performance to show off his unique drug-making skills and suggests the case should not be tried publicly.Chen Qingquan agrees to apply to the procuratorate for a private trial and urges Zhu Yan to solidify the evidence against Lu.
In a parallel storyline, Xie Guohao, fearing he will be implicated, plans to escape with his son. His son insists on bringing along his horse, a companion for the last five years. In a fit of rage, Xie Guohao shoots and kills the horse. In a shocking turn of events, the son pulls out a gun and shoots his father dead. Zuo Lun later vividly recounts the patricide to his colleagues.
Li An and Lin Qiangfeng wait together for the final verdict of Lu Shaohua's trial. When Lu is brought into the courtroom, he is visibly disappointed to find the public gallery completely empty.The judge declares him guilty of manufacturing and trafficking drugs and sentences him to death, with a lifelong deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all personal assets.
Upon seeing the news of the sentencing, Ha Hong celebrates by eating a Daxiaosu (a sweet, crispy snack) and sends a text to Lin Qiangfeng, inviting him to do the same. The story takes a tragic turn when Lin Qiangfeng, while assisting in another drug bust, is killed in an unexpected car explosion set off by a drug dealer.
Sometime later, Li An and "The Three Musketeers" visit Lin Qiangfeng's grave to pay their respects. In the aftermath, the police ID numbers of both Li Baichuan and Lin Qiangfeng are permanently retired.Others involved, including Zhou Shaoxiong, Luo Bingzhang, and Ma Yingzi, receive their respective punishments, while Ha Hong is honored with a second-class merit award.
The series concludes.
