History
U.S. Marshals Role During Prohibition
In 1920 the 18th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting the
manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating beverages
within the United States. U.S. Marshals were the principal enforcing
agents of the Prohibition laws until the Treasury Department created
the Bureau of Prohibition in 1927.

Deputy U.S. Marshals in Alaska destroy liquor to
enforce wartime prohibition laws during World War I.
Marshals continued to work in
conjunction with special agents from this agency-as well as those
from the Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of
Investigation and U.S. Customs-throughout the prohibition era. |