This sequel picks up where the original film left off, with narcotics officer Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) still searching for elusive drug kingpin Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). Orders from the captain send Doyle to Marseilles, France, to track down the criminal mastermind. Instead, Charnier's minions kidnap the cop and pump him full of heroin to turn him into a junkie. After a tough detox, Doyle sets out for revenge.