25 Photos of Prohibition-Era Raids

Real gangster squads.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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On January 16, 1920—93 years ago today—Prohibition took effect, making the entire country officially alcohol-free. In theory, anyway. Bootleggers, rum-runners, and speakeasies took advantage of the dearth of legal alcohol sales, and began peddling their illicit wares to meet the high, but unmet, demand. 

However, federal agents were charged with enforcing the National Prohibition Act, raiding speakeasies and busting up crime rings that sold, purchased, or transported alcohol. These photos of Prohibition-Era raids were the reality you caught a glimpse of "The Untouchables." These are the real gangster squads.

New York, 1921

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New York, 1922

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Miami, 1925

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Philadelphia, 1928

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1929

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Detroit, 1920s

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Detroit, 1920s

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Detroit, 1920s

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Detroit, 1920s

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Boston, 1930

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Boston, 1930

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Boston, 1930

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Detroit, 1931

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Boston, 1932

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Boston, 1932

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Detroit, 1932

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Boston, 1917 - 1934

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Boston, 1917 - 1934

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Boston, 1917 - 1934

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St. Paul

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