February 16, 1896, New York – The streets of Manhattan are abuzz with the illicit trade of diamonds, as cunning smugglers have discovered a way to bring these precious gems into the country without paying a single penny in duty. The Wilson tariff, implemented just recently, has inadvertently created a lucrative business for these underworld operators. With a steep 25% duty on cut and polished diamonds, and 10% on rough stones, the financial incentive to smuggle these stones has never been greater.
Related Federal Cases
- Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Cigarette Smuggling Ring · Maryland
- St. Thomas Woman Convicted in Cocaine Smuggling Ring · Ohio
- Mohamed Elbarati Sentenced in Cigarette Smuggling Ring · West Virginia
- UM Lab Trio Charged in Bio-Smuggling Ring · Michigan
- NYC Car Theft Ring Busted: 5 Face 15 Years · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: National
- Category: Organized Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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