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Bootlegging alcohol- the act of buying and then reselling on the streets for profit- is making a comeback in Cleveland.
"Bootlegging has increased as the hispanic population has increased in Bradley County," says Detective Brian Smith.
Working on a tip, Cleveland Police raided an apartment building on Central Avenue Wednesday Night.
Investigators confiscated a small inventory of vodka and canadian whiskey. The bottles of booze were re-selling on the streets.
[0]"We've been receiving complaints from the citizens that several residents are bootlegging illegal liquor," says Smith. "Unstamped liquor. Thespecial investigations unit went over there last night and did some search of some apartments."
{Smith says the rise in the underground alcohol trade corresponds with the rise of immigration. Illegals he says are a bootleggers best customer.
"Bootlegging has become popular again because the hispanic population doesn't have proper Identification. They can't go into stores or go into chattanooga and purchase liquor and beer. So bootlegging is on the increase. So that's why we took steps to seize some of it in Cleveland," says Smith.
[0]Police have received numerous complaints about the complex. Residents claim drugs, alcohol, even prostitution is a problem.
Of course, bootlegging is not limited to this part of Cleveland. Smith says the department is actively working to curb the resale of alcohol all over town.
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