TIER 2
Leonida Keys Drug Trade
Boat-based drug smuggling missions between keys. Brian Heder ringleader (per character bio).
The Job
Per the verified 2022 leak, the Leonida Keys runs read as boat-based smuggling jobs ferrying product between the keys, with Brian Heder set up as the ringleader (confirmed in his Trailer 2 character bio). This is a medium-sized smuggling op, not a vault score — the GTA$50k-200k estimate range tracks with a job whose risk lives on open water rather than behind a guarded perimeter. The defining variable is the police response: Coast Guard plus helicopter, both of which dominate the water and the air you can't easily break line-of-sight on. That makes approach choice load-bearing. Inference: stealth rewards a clean run-in/run-out with the upper payout intact, since a quiet hand-off avoids the Coast Guard escalation entirely; loud trades that margin for speed and brute-forcing through a chase; hybrid splits the difference — slip in quiet, fight out if the helicopter tags you. The 15-25 min window and three-role crew (captain, tactician, gunner) suggest a contained, repeatable run rather than a multi-stage setup grind. Read it as a mid-tier earner where boat handling and water awareness matter more than firepower.
The GTA$50k-200k estimate fits a medium smuggling job — the spread reflects approach (a clean stealth run protecting the top end, a messy loud chase shaving it). All figures are pre-release estimates, not confirmed payouts.
$200k
Max Payout
15-25
min
3
Crew Roles
3
Approaches
Details
- Type
- smuggling
- Location
- Leonida Keys
- Size
- medium
- Approaches
- stealth, loud, hybrid
- Crew Roles
- captain, tactician, gunner
- Police Response
- Variable (Coast Guard + helicopter)
- Estimated Time
- 15-25 min
- Trailer
- T2: scattered scenes
- Confidence
- TIER 2 — Verified 2022 leak
Operator Tips
- Treat the boat as the mission — a captain who can read the water and shake a helicopter chase matters more here than raw firepower.
- Go stealth if you want the top of the payout range: a quiet hand-off between keys avoids triggering the Coast Guard escalation entirely (inference from the variable police response).
- Run the full three-role crew — captain to drive, tactician to call the route between keys, gunner for when the helicopter tags you.
- Budget for a chase, not a shootout: the threat is Coast Guard boats plus air support on open water, where breaking line-of-sight is hard.
- Keep runs tight — the 15-25 min window points to a repeatable earner, so a clean exit beats lingering for extra product.
FAQ
How much does the Leonida Keys Drug Trade pay?
Estimated GTA$50,000-200,000 per run, based on the verified 2022 leak and its medium smuggling size. That's an estimate, not a confirmed figure — the top end likely needs a clean stealth run; a loud Coast Guard chase trims it.
Can I do the Leonida Keys smuggling solo or stealth?
It supports stealth, loud, and hybrid approaches per the leak. Stealth is the play for a clean run between keys. The record lists a three-role crew (captain, tactician, gunner), so solo isn't confirmed — plan around a crew if it ships as recorded.
Who runs the Leonida Keys drug trade and where is it?
Brian Heder is the ringleader, confirmed in his Trailer 2 character bio. The job is boat-based smuggling between the Leonida Keys, running roughly 15-25 minutes against a variable Coast Guard plus helicopter response.
Calculate your take
Use the Heist Payout Calculator to estimate your share for Leonida Keys Drug Trade based on approach, crew skill, and difficulty.
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Heist data sourced from Trailer 1, Trailer 2, and verified 2022 Teapotuberhacker leak. Payouts re-verified after 19 November 2026 release. Independent fan content. Not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive. Grand Theft Auto, GTA, and related logos are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software.