How to Unlock the Cartel in Schedule 1

Schedule 1’s Patch 0.4.0 introduces a dangerous new faction—the Benzies cartel—adding a layer of tension and risk to your drug-dealing empire. Whether you’re continuing an old save or starting fresh, you might be wondering how to encounter this ruthless crime family and what happens once they enter the game.
This guide covers everything you need to know about unlocking the Benzies, their demands, and the consequences of crossing them.

When Do You Unlock the Cartel in Schedule 1?

The Benzies cartel becomes active once you reach Westville, their home turf. Since they dominate this area, you’ll encounter them relatively early in your playthrough.

How the Benzies Cartel Appears

Once you’ve established enough customers in Westville, you’ll receive a message from Thomas Benzies, the cartel’s leader. He’ll propose a “business opportunity” and instruct you to meet him in the parking lot of Taco Ticklers.
Look for a black SUV resembling a Mercedes G-Class (a likely nod to the cartel’s name). This encounter officially unlocks the Benzies as a major faction in your game, kicking off their storyline.

What Happens When You Meet the Benzies?

Thomas Benzies doesn’t believe in partnerships—he gives you an ultimatum:

• Join the cartel and follow their rules.
• Refuse and become their enemy.

There’s no neutral option. The Benzies operate like a classic crime syndicate—comply or suffer the consequences.

If You Join the Benzies Cartel

• They take 50% of your profits as "protection money."
• You must meet a weekly product quota—failure isn’t an option.
• They’ll provide some protection, but their demands will cut into your earnings.

If You Refuse the Benzies

• They’ll attack your dealers, stealing money and product.
• You’ll receive threatening messages from your crew about Benzies’ ambushes.
• Your operations in Westville will become much riskier.

Warning: Even if you ignore Thomas Benzies’ meeting, the cartel can still target you. Avoiding them won’t make them disappear—they’ll come for you eventually.

How to Survive the Benzies’ Influence

Dealing with the cartel is inevitable, so you’ll need a strategy:

• Pay Up & Play Along – If you comply, you’ll avoid direct attacks but lose half your income.
• Fight Back – Riskier, but you can try to weaken their influence by targeting their operations.
• Expand Carefully – Diversify your operations outside Westville to reduce reliance on their territory.

For a deeper breakdown of cartel mechanics, check out our Schedule 1 Cartel Guide.

Final Thoughts

The Benzies cartel adds a brutal new dynamic to Schedule 1, forcing players to balance profit and survival. Whether you submit totheir demands or defy them, their presence will shape your criminalempire.

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