The Remarkable True Story Of Canada's Most Infamous Bootlegger And The Undercover

Bootlegging during the Prohibition era is a legendary part of Canadian history. It has fascinated people for decades and continues to captivate our imagination. The era was marked by the illegal production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages that paved the way for Canada's most infamous bootlegger.

The Rise of Canada's Most Infamous Bootlegger

In the 1920s, during the height of the Prohibition era, Canadian bootlegger John "Whiskey Jack" Thompson rose to prominence. Thompson was known for his charismatic personality, cunning tactics, and unyielding determination to evade authorities.

The Whisky King: The remarkable true story of Canada's most infamous bootlegger and the undercover Mountie on his trail

by Trevor Cole (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5812 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	492 pages

FREE

Born in a small town in rural Canada, Thompson discovered his affinity for liquor at a young age. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he embarked on a journey to capitalize on the high demand for alcohol while simultaneously eluding law enforcement.

Thompson developed a vast network of associates, creating intricate smuggling routes that spanned across Canada and the United States. His ability to evade the authorities earned him the title of Canada's most infamous bootlegger.

The Cat and Mouse Game

Throughout his bootlegging career, Thompson found himself constantly pursued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the United States Coast Guard. Despite the authorities' relentless efforts to bring him to justice, Thompson always managed to stay one step ahead.

Thompson's smuggling operations were so elaborate that many deemed him untouchable. He employed advanced techniques such as using false-bottomed vehicles to transport alcohol, bribing officials, and establishing hidden underground breweries.

The authorities quickly realized that defeating Thompson required unconventional methods. They decided to infiltrate his organization and gather evidence from within.

The Undercover Operation

A young and ambitious RCMP officer, Detective Robert McCall, was chosen to go undercover to dismantle Thompson's bootlegging empire. McCall infiltrated the organization, assuming a new identity and gaining Thompson's trust.

For years, McCall lived a double life, gathering critical evidence and intelligence on Thompson's operations. He became an integral part of the organization, establishing himself as a valuable asset to Thompson.

McCall's undercover operation led authorities to discover the full extent of Thompson's bootlegging activities. The evidence gathered proved crucial in bringing Thompson and his associates to justice.

The Downfall of Canada's Most Infamous Bootlegger

After years of operating with impunity, Thompson's empire began to crumble. The combination of Detective McCall's undercover work and the mounting pressure from law enforcement eventually caught up with him.

In a dramatic raid, law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border simultaneously struck Thompson's operation. The acclaimed bootlegger was apprehended, marking the end of an era.

Thompson's trial garnered immense media attention, captivating the public with the sensational details of his bootlegging empire and his audacious cat and mouse game with the authorities. Despite his notoriety, Thompson was ultimately sentenced to serve a lengthy prison term.

The Legacy of Canada's Most Infamous Bootlegger

The story of Canada's most infamous bootlegger, John "Whiskey Jack" Thompson, remains a captivating tale of illicit activities and the relentless pursuit of justice. It serves as a reminder of a bygone era filled with intrigue and adventure.

The legacy left behind by Thompson and his contemporaries continues to intrigue historians, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. Their audacious exploits during the Prohibition era have become integral parts of Canada's cultural heritage.

Although the era of bootlegging is long gone, the story of Canada's most infamous bootlegger and the undercover officer who brought him down will forever be etched in the annals of Canadian history.

The Whisky King: The remarkable true story of Canada's most infamous bootlegger and the undercover Mountie on his trail

by Trevor Cole (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5812 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	492 pages

FREE

“True-crime writing at its finest.” —Dean Jobb, author of Empire of Deception

A rich and fascinating history of Canada’s first celebrity mobster, Rocco Perri—King of the Bootleggers—and the man who pursued him, Canada’s first undercover Mountie, for readers of Erik Larson, Dean Jobb and Charlotte Gray

At the dawn of the 20th century, two Italian men arrived in Canada amid waves of immigration. One, Rocco Perri, from southern Italy, rose from the life of a petty criminal on the streets of Toronto to running the most prominent bootlegging operation of the Prohibition era, taking over Hamilton and leading one of the country’s most influential crime syndicates. Perri was feared by his enemies and loved by the press, who featured him regularly in splashy front-page headlines. So great was his celebrity that, following the murder of his wife and business partner, Bessie Starkman, a crowd of 30,000 thronged the streets of Hamilton for her funeral.

Perri’s businesses—which included alcohol, drugs, gambling and prostitution—kept him under constant police surveillance. He caught the interest of one man in particular, the other arrival from Italy, Frank Zaneth. Zaneth, originally from the Italian north, joined the RCMP and became its first undercover investigator—Operative No. 1. Zaneth’s work took him across the country, but he was dogged in his pursuit of Rocco Perri and worked for his arrest until the day Perri was last seen, in 1944, when he disappeared without a trace.

With original research and masterful storytelling, Cole details the fascinating rise to power of a notorious Prohibition-era Canadian crime figure twinned with the life of the man who pursued him.