Rum Patrol | |
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![]() Rum Patrol ships USCGD Tucker and USCGD Cassin, circa 1930 | |
Objective | Enforce prohibition in United States waters |
Date | 1920–1933 |
Executed by | ![]() |
The Rum Patrol was an operation of the United States Coast Guard to interdict liquor smuggling vessels, known as "rum runners" in order to enforce prohibition in American waters. On 18 December 1917, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was submitted to the states by Congress. On 16 January 1919, the amendment was ratified and the Liquor Prohibition Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, transportation, importation, or exportation of intoxicating liquors, came into effect on 16 January 1920.