Island of Bootleggers: The Prohibition Era’s Largest Whiskey Smuggling Operation
St. Pierre and Miquelon, a small French archipelago off the coast of Canada, was once the hub of one of the largest whiskey smuggling operations in history. From 1920 to 1933, the island’s economy boomed as it became a major player in the illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition.
The Operation
According to reports from the time, the islands imported over 1 million gallons of whiskey in 1929 alone, worth an estimated $60 million (equivalent to almost $850 million today). The whiskey was brought in from Canada and the United States, where it was produced by major distilleries such as Hiram Walker and Seagram.
- Over 1 million gallons of whiskey imported in 1929
- Worth an estimated $60 million (approximately $850 million today)
- Whiskey brought in from Canada and the United States
The smuggling operation was so vast that it attracted the attention of the French Foreign Ministry, which sent a special inspector to study its impact on the islands. In his report, he noted that the demand for whiskey seemed insatiable, with over 5 million liters poured into the islands in 1929 alone.
Controversy and Consequences
Despite the economic boom brought by the smuggling operation, it was not without controversy. The American government had long been trying to crack down on bootleggers and shut down the illegal trade. In 1930, a report warned that passing laws to halt the smuggling of alcohol would be “catastrophic” for the islands.
- The American government tried to crack down on bootleggers
- Reports warned that halting the smuggling operation could have catastrophic consequences
However, in December 1933, Prohibition officially came to an end, and with it, the whiskey smuggling operation ceased. The distilleries sent thousands of empty barrels to St. Pierre and Miquelon, which were filled with the remaining whiskey stock and shipped back to Canada and the United States for reblending and future legal sale.
Aftermath
For the people of St. Pierre and Miquelon, the end of Prohibition brought economic hardship. Many islanders departed their homeland, but most returned gradually to cod fishing. Today, tourists visit the islands seeking out reminders of those few glorious years as a major player in the illegal whiskey trade.
- The end of Prohibition brought economic hardship
- Island residents departed and returned to cod fishing
Photos
Map showing the location of St. Pierre and Miquelon Historic photo of whiskey barrels being unloaded on the island
Stories from the Time
- “The demand for whiskey seemed insatiable… We cannot imagine anything more lucrative than this trade.” - French Foreign Ministry Inspector, 1930
- “When the world went into the Great Depression, Saint Pierre was booming.” - Local resident, 1929
- “Fathers and sons had worked alongside as they loaded and unloaded liquor. They had forgotten how to fish.” - Local resident, after Prohibition ended
Read More