Above the Law

Nicolo "Nico" Toscani is an expert martial artist, who is recruited by the CIA during the Vietnam War. While serving in covert operations on the Vietnamese-Cambodian border, he became disgusted with agent Kurt Zagon, who tortured prisoners. A stand-off occurs when Toscani tries to stop him, and he leaves the CIA. Years later, Toscani is now married and a detective in the CPD’s vice squad. Toscani and his new partner, Delores "Jacks" Jackson, are investigating a drug ring, and after busting two of the dealers, including Salvadorian kingpin Tony Salvano, Toscani finds C-4 explosives. Shortly afterward, the men that Toscani and Jackson arrested are released at the request of federal officials, and Toscani is ordered to stand down. Later, the priest of Toscani's parish is killed in an explosion during Mass. Toscani's old CIA handler, Nelson Fox, contacts him and tells him to move his family to a safer location, saying that he is in danger. Under pressure from the feds, Toscani is asked to turn in his badge. He eventually discovers that the dealers he busted are linked to Kurt Zagon, who is still with the CIA, and who is being accused of human rights violations by a Central American priest who was being sheltered by Toscani's priest. While Zagon is torturing the priest, Toscani bursts in, and a gun battle ensues. Detectives Jackson and Lukich are wounded during the shootout, and Toscani has to flee. U.S. Senator Ernest Harrison is investigating Zagon's group to reveal their ties to drug trafficking. When Toscani finds out that Zagon killed the priest and is planning to kill Harrison, he goes after him. Fox confronts Toscani while the latter is doing surveillance on a rooftop, but they are later interrupted by Zagon's men. Fox is killed, and Toscani is captured. He is held in a hotel kitchen during a Harrison campaign rally. Before Zagon can kill Harrison, Toscani breaks free and kills Zagon and all of his remaining men. Afterwards, Toscani meets Harrison, who has been informed of everything. Harrison promises justice, and Toscani says he is now willing to testify about his experiences with Zagon and covert operations in the CIA.

Plot from Above the Law (1988 film)CC BY-SA 4.0