A Peek Inside America's Notorious First Narcotics Squad: 90 Church

90 Church was the first narcotics squad in the United States, and it was a brutal and corrupt organization. Founded in 1919 in New York City, 90 Church was tasked with enforcing the Volstead Act, which prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol. However, 90 Church quickly became involved in other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.

90 Church: Inside America's Notorious First Narcotics Squad

by Mark Hallerberg

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	813 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	433 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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The squad was led by Lieutenant Charles Becker, a corrupt and ruthless police officer. Becker and his men used violence and intimidation to suppress the drug trade in New York City. They would often raid speakeasies and arrest patrons without warrants. They would also extort money from drug dealers and traffickers. In some cases, they would even murder those who stood in their way.

90 Church's reign of terror came to an end in 1923 when Becker was convicted of murdering a gambler named Herman Rosenthal. Becker was sentenced to death and executed in 1928. However, the legacy of 90 Church lived on. The squad's tactics and methods were adopted by other police departments across the country. This led to a wave of violence and corruption in the drug war that lasted for decades.

The Tactics of 90 Church

90 Church used a variety of tactics to suppress the drug trade in New York City. These tactics included:

• Violence: 90 Church officers would often use violence to intimidate and suppress drug dealers and traffickers. They would raid speakeasies and arrest patrons without warrants. They would also extort money from drug dealers and traffickers. In some cases, they would even murder those who stood in their way.
• Intimidation: 90 Church officers would often use intimidation to suppress the drug trade. They would raid speakeasies and arrest patrons without warrants. They would also extort money from drug dealers and traffickers. In some cases, they would even murder those who stood in their way.
• Corruption: 90 Church officers were often corrupt. They would take bribes from drug dealers and traffickers. They would also use their positions to extort money from businesses and individuals.

The Legacy of 90 Church

The legacy of 90 Church is a dark one. The squad's tactics and methods were adopted by other police departments across the country. This led to a wave of violence and corruption in the drug war that lasted for decades.

90 Church is a reminder of the dangers of unchecked police power. The squad's officers were able to operate with impunity for years because they had the support of the political establishment. This allowed them to commit crimes with little fear of being punished.

The legacy of 90 Church is a cautionary tale. It is a reminder that we must be vigilant in our efforts to protect our civil liberties. We must also be aware of the dangers of unchecked police power.

90 Church was a dark chapter in American history. The squad's tactics and methods were brutal and corrupt. The legacy of 90 Church is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked police power.

90 Church: Inside America's Notorious First Narcotics Squad

by Mark Hallerberg

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	813 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	433 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE