Cleaning the Hood Guide: Drug Den Assault in GTA SA

Addressing the Root Cause

The Grove Street Families are in rough shape. Sweet explains to CJ that the real enemy destroying the neighborhood is not just the rival gangs, but the drug epidemic sweeping through the streets. To rebuild their strength, they need to cut off the supply in their own backyard. This means dealing with former allies who have turned their backs on the set for profit. "Cleaning the Hood" introduces melee combat mechanics and ally protection systems.

The Confrontation with B Dup

Start the mission at Sweet's house. Following the cutscene, get into Ryder's car and drive him to B Dup's apartment, located just a few blocks away in Ganton. A yellow marker highlights the location. Park in the marker and watch the intense cutscene.

CJ and Ryder attempt to recruit their old friend B Dup back into the fold. However, B Dup makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the failing gang. He is heavily involved in the drug trade now, employing another former Grove Street member, Big Bear, as a subservient addict. The confrontation ends with a door slammed in their faces. This narrative beat sets the tone for the entire game.

Taking Down the Street Dealer

Since B Dup will not help, Ryder decides they need to take out the source directly. A red dot appears on your minimap just down the street. This is a local drug dealer pushing product on Grove Street turf. Run down the sidewalk toward the dot.

You will spot a man wearing a dark jacket. Approach him. A brief dialogue exchange occurs where the dealer mocks you. Immediately engage him in combat. You can use your fists, but be careful, as he will fight back with a baseball bat. Time your punches to interrupt his swings. Once you defeat him, he drops his bat on the sidewalk. Walk over it to pick it up. This bat is essential for the next part of the mission.

Assaulting the Crack Den

With a weapon in hand, get back into Ryder's car. He tells you the dealer's supply comes from a crack house operating nearby in Idlewood. Drive to the new yellow marker on your map. Park outside the dilapidated two-story house.

This is where you learn about interior combat spaces. Walk into the yellow cone marker at the front door to transition inside the house. Once the interior loads, you are immediately in hostile territory. There are several Ballas gang members and armed dealers scattered throughout the rooms. Ryder enters with you, and he has a health bar displayed on your screen. You must protect him.

Melee Combat Tactics

The interior of the house is cramped and messy. Use the baseball bat you acquired earlier. The heavy swing animation is slow, but it deals massive damage and knocks enemies to the floor. When an enemy is knocked down, stand over them and press the attack button again to perform a powerful ground strike. This will quickly eliminate threats before they can stand back up.

Focus on the enemies actively attacking Ryder first. If Ryder's health bar depletes completely, the mission ends in failure. Swing wildly to catch multiple enemies in the arc of your bat. Some enemies might have pistols. If you see someone aiming, prioritize them immediately and rush them with a sprint attack.

Clearing the Rooms

Work your way from the living room into the kitchen area. Check the corners, as enemies can hide behind the crumbling walls. Keep an eye on the minimap to locate remaining red dots. Once the final enemy falls, a cutscene triggers showing CJ and Ryder standing victorious among the wreckage.

Ryder commends CJ on his brutality, acknowledging that maybe he has not entirely lost his edge after spending years on the East Coast. You automatically exit the house and return to the street.

Heading Home

The hard work is done. All that remains is a simple drive back to Grove Street. Get into Ryder's vehicle and follow the yellow marker back to his house. Park in the red circle to finalize the mission. You will receive a notification that your Respect stat has increased. This stat dictates how many gang members you can recruit later in the game.

Pro Tips for Close Quarters Combat

• Lure Them Out: If the living room feels too crowded, take a step back towards the front door. The enemies will funnel through the narrow hallway, allowing you to hit them one by one as they approach.
• Bring a Gun: While the mission is designed for melee combat, nothing stops you from bringing a firearm if you acquired one outside of missions. A simple 9mm pistol makes clearing the house trivial.
• Keep Moving: Do not stand still while swinging the bat. Strafe side to side to avoid taking punches from flanking enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions