Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle is back after narrowly escaping the clutches of Alain Charnier in the first film, and Doyle's out for revenge. Taking his quest to Charnier's home turf, Doyle is determined to bring down Charnier's heroin ring and he enlists the help of the gendarmes. With Doyle's disregard for the "by the book" he pursues Charnier with wreckless abandon, until he is caught by Charnier's men. Doyle is held captive and forced to use heroin against his will. After he is rescued and cured off of the drugs, Doyle finds out that he was set up by the French authorities in order to draw Charnier out of hiding. Now a complete loose cannon on the prowl, Doyle will stop at nothing to make sure he brings the entire operation down.