During the era of Prohibition in the United States (1920-1933), smuggling alcohol became a highly creative and risky activity. With the government cracking down on the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol under the 18th Amendment, those who wanted to make a profit had to come up with innovative and bizarre methods to sneak booze past law enforcement. This article highlights some of the most inventive smuggling tactics from that period, showing just how far people would go to keep the drinks flowing.
1. Coffin-Filled Hearses
One of the most creative ways alcohol was smuggled was by using funeral hearses. Criminals would pretend to be part of a funeral procession, complete with coffins. However, instead of a body inside the coffin, there would be bottles of liquor. This method was effective because law enforcement officers were reluctant to stop and inspect what appeared to be a mourning family.
This strategy wasn’t just a one-off incident. Several gangs used it successfully for years, taking advantage of the solemnity of funerals and the respect people have for the dead. In fact, hearse drivers were paid extra for their risky involvement in this type of smuggling.
2. Hollowed-Out Loaves of Bread
Another strange but clever tactic involved hollowing out loaves of bread. Smugglers would remove the center of large loaves and stuff bottles of alcohol inside. The loaves were then sealed back up, making it difficult to tell they had been tampered with. This was especially effective when large quantities of bread were being transported, as it would be impractical for officers to inspect every loaf.
3. Hidden Inside Cows
This one sounds almost unbelievable, but there are reports that smugglers went so far as to use live animals in their schemes. In some cases, smugglers would sew alcohol containers into the stomachs of cows and transport them across borders. While this may sound like something out of a movie, it demonstrates just how desperate people were to find ways to outsmart law enforcement.
4. “Rum-Running” and Speedboats
The term “rum-running” became popular during Prohibition and referred to the illegal transportation of alcohol by sea. Smugglers would use speedboats to transport alcohol from places like the Bahamas and Canada to the United States. These boats were fast enough to outrun Coast Guard vessels, making it difficult for law enforcement to stop them.
In 1922, the U.S. government extended its maritime jurisdiction to 12 miles off the coast to combat this tactic, but smugglers still found ways to bring in their goods. They would often transfer alcohol from one boat to another outside of the new jurisdiction, ensuring that their deliveries continued.
5. The “Bootlegging” Trick
The term “bootlegging” originated from the practice of hiding flasks of liquor inside the legs of tall boots. This method was popular among those who wanted to smuggle small quantities of alcohol for personal use or to sell in speakeasies (illegal bars). Many bootleggers would use this trick while crossing borders or sneaking alcohol into urban areas.
6. False Bottoms in Vehicles
Cars and trucks were frequently used to transport alcohol during Prohibition, and one of the most common techniques was to modify the vehicles with false bottoms. Smugglers would build hidden compartments underneath the floors or in the walls of vehicles to conceal bottles of liquor. From the outside, the vehicle would look completely normal, but a closer inspection would reveal its secret cargo.
One famous bootlegger, George Remus, who operated in Cincinnati, used such tactics to smuggle large quantities of alcohol. At one point, Remus controlled 35% of all the illegal alcohol in the United States during the early 1920s.
7. Smuggling through Clothing
People also used their clothing to sneak alcohol into various places. Some women wore special garments with hidden pockets or flasks sewn into them. These “flask dresses” became fashionable in some circles, allowing women to sneak alcohol into speakeasies without raising suspicion.
Men, too, had their tricks. Some wore belts or suspenders that doubled as liquor containers. These were typically designed to hold small quantities but were effective for those who just wanted a drink for themselves or to sell to a few customers.
8. Planes and Aerial Smuggling
Although planes were still relatively new during Prohibition, smugglers quickly figured out how to use them to their advantage. Alcohol was flown into the United States from places like Canada and Mexico. Since law enforcement didn’t have the resources to track aircraft as easily as they could ships or cars, this was a highly effective smuggling method for those who could afford it.
In cities near borders, particularly those close to Canada and Mexico, smugglers would dig tunnels underground to move alcohol across the border. In El Paso, Texas, for instance, tunnels were dug under the U.S.-Mexico border to bring alcohol directly into the United States. These underground networks allowed smugglers to bypass customs and law enforcement checkpoints entirely.
10. “The Walking Barrels”
In one of the more humorous smuggling tactics, there were instances of people dressing up as barrels of liquor. The person would be concealed inside a large barrel with holes cut for their eyes, and they would walk through the streets pretending to be part of a shipment. This may not have been the most practical method, but it shows how far people would go to get alcohol past the authorities.
The End of Prohibition
After 13 years, Prohibition was finally repealed in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. The government realized that enforcing the ban on alcohol was not only difficult but also ineffective. Organized crime had flourished, and smuggling tactics had become more sophisticated over time. The end of Prohibition marked a return to legal alcohol sales and the decline of many of these bizarre smuggling techniques.
Prohibition remains one of the most fascinating periods in American history, especially because of the ingenious ways people found to smuggle alcohol. From coffin-filled hearses to speedboats and hollowed-out loaves of bread, these tactics show just how determined people were to get around the law. Though the 18th Amendment was meant to curb drinking, it instead created a booming underground industry, leaving behind a legacy of creative lawbreaking that is still remembered today.
