November 26, 1923 – In a daring move to curb the lucrative rum-running trade, American authorities have seized a British ship, the Tomako, off the coast of New Jersey. The vessel, allegedly crewed by notorious bootlegger Bill McCoy, sparked a fierce battle between the US Coast Guard and the Tomako’s crew. According to eyewitnesses, the sailors on board opened fire on the Coast Guard cutters Seneca and Lexington, forcing the authorities to take drastic measures to subdue the vessel.
Related Federal Cases
- Rum Row Reckoning: Smugglers Defy the Law Off New Jersey Shores · New Jersey
- Wesley McDaniels Gets 22+ Years for Heroin Flood · Pennsylvania
- Roanoke Heroin Dealer Gets 7 Years · New Jersey
- Edwin Alamo Jr. Admits to 22kg Heroin Haul in NJ · New Jersey
- Thomas Seymore Admits Role in Ethylone Drug Conspiracy · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: National
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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