In the eighties and nineties, Oslo fostered a new wave of criminals. They were more violent, more international, and far more dangerous than the capital city had ever seen before. Norwegian drug lords clashed with immigrant gangs, who wanted a larger share of the action. A battle that would claim a lot of blood before the situation stabilized.

Three friends - Wasim, Riaz and Munawar - grow up in the middle of all this. They're all children of Pakistani immigrants. They feel Norwegian and expect the same respect as Norwegians get. But the road to an acceptable, well-paying job is long and hard for someone of their background. They choose the short cut to status, joining the East Side Crew gang, led by the cruel Sadiq and his brother, Khalid.

The status of Wasid and his friends grows along with the increasing amount of money the gang life awards them, but when Wasim's father finally realizes what's going on, he sends his son to a distant relative in Pakistan, to attend a Koran school.

Two years later, Wasim returns to Norway. The family's material situation has improved, but the middle class life in Stovner [a rather drab suburb on the east side of Oslo] bores Wasim. He slides right back into the old gang life with Riaz, Munamar, and the rest of the East Side Crew.

As an adult, Wasim has become a hardcore gang member and a major drugdealer. The gang's own importing of drugs creates a lot of turbulence, and make them a lot of enemies. When Wasim's friend Riaz snitches on Khalid and escapes, Wasim and Munamar are forced to participate in the hunt for their friend, putting their loyalty to the ultimate test...