Page "Volstead Act" Paragraph 8

The first documented infringement of the Volstead Act occurred in Chicago on January 17, 1920 at 12: 59 a. m.

According to police reports, six armed men stole $ 100, 000 worth of " medicinal " whiskey from two freight train cars.

This trend in bootlegging liquor created a domino effect with criminals across the United States.

In fact, some gang leaders were stashing liquor months before the Volstead Act was enforced.

The ability to sustain a lucrative business in bootlegging liquor was largely helped by the minimal police surveillance at the time.

There were only 134 agents designated by the Prohibition Unit to cover all of Illinois, Iowa, and parts of Wisconsin.

According to Charles C. Fitzmorris, Chicago's Chief of Police during the beginning of the Prohibition period: " Sixty percent of my police in the bootleg business.