Counterspy: Visiting Vultures (A0120)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

In 'Counterspy: Visiting Vultures,' David Harding and Harry Peters investigate a large-scale bootleg liquor operation using discarded corn-syrup cans to smuggle alcohol into

Key takeaways

• The use of discarded corn-syrup cans as a smuggling vehicle highlights creative criminal logistics in Prohibition-era bootlegging.

Main topics

• Bootleg liquor smuggling
• Prohibition-era criminal networks

Notable quotes

"We figure around three million dollars on this particular operation alone."

Conclusion

The episode ends with Harding closing in on Hype Gordon through a combi

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:05) Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Counterspy. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us on Instagram. using your favorite podcast software. And also, we do have our listener support and appreciation campaign ongoing. You can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net. And you also do receive a monthly update from me and get to vote on important decisions such as our amazing World of Radio Summer Series. do check it out at patreon.greatdetectives.net. But now, from September 27th, 1949, here is The Visiting Vultures. That's the cola. P-E-T-S-I. That's your smartest cola buy. That's the cola. Present Counterspy. David Harding, Counterspy. Speaker 1 (1:43) Harding, counter-spy, calling Washington. Especially appointed to investigate and combat the enemies of our country, both at home and abroad. Speaker 1 (2:05) Tonight, the case of the visiting vultures. Another counter-spy report to the American people. Brought to you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi-Cola. Pepsi-Cola, it's a spot. Two full glasses, that's a lot. That's right, you heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12-ounce bottle. You're getting an extra glass full. And what a delicious glass full. The most refreshing, delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi's tangy flavor. And that big, big bottle saves you money, goes twice as far. Pepsi's America's big, big favorite. And America's biggest total value. So why take less when Pepsi's best? Whenever you reach for refreshments, remember... Why take less when Pepsi's best? And now, to Counterspy. Speaker 1 (3:05) In a conference room in counter-spy headquarters in Washington, David Harding addresses a group of men around a long, shiny table. Gentlemen, I'm honored by the presence here of the governors of the several southern states covered by our counter-spy districts 9, 10, and 11. We realize that your state administrations are faced with a large criminal operation, selling illegally made alcohol and evading federal taxes. Peter, those figures, please. Yes, Mr. Harding. District 9, estimated tax loss, $221,000. District 10, $400,000. District 11, over half a million dollars. Now, gentlemen, we don't yet know what gang makes that alcohol or where it's made, but all over your state, counter-spy squads are moving into action. Speaker 1 (4:07) All right, here comes the truck, boys. Don't let it get by. It's loaded with one-gallon corn syrup cans. That's what we're looking for. Okay, buddy, pull up. United States counter fire. It's a dance hall in heaven. All right, men. Smash down that door. Truck's coming fast, but it's got to be stopped. If the truck doesn't stop, blast the tires. Get those tires! So far, gentlemen, no useful leads have been obtained from truck drivers, tavern keepers, and others taken in these counter fire raids. Speaker 1 (5:15) One lead of possible value has been found, however. My assistant, Harry Peters, is leaving tonight to investigate it. In Chicago. Hey, buddy, I'm looking for the main office of the famous Flanagan sisters' corn syrup company. Is it in here? Nah, nah, this is only the garage. The office is in that snazzy little building right across the street. Anybody here? Excuse me. I was looking for a secretary or a receptionist or something. That little blonde there, you see. I want to find out something about the famous Flanagan sisters. Why, Buster? I'm Harry Peters, United States Counter-Strike. Oh, Peters, I got news for you. I'm the famous Flanagan sisters. You're the famous Flanagan sisters? All of them? Yeah, it's only a trade name, and I bought the business a couple of years ago. My name's Hype Gordon. Sit down. Thank you, Mr. Newton. I, uh... Speaker 1 (6:43) You believe in large offices? Why not? I spent half my life here. Is this one of your cans of syrup? A sample, yeah. That label, that is a portrait of the original Flanagan sisters bending over a hot stove, making their corn syrup according to a receipt handed down from mother to daughter. Between you and me, the daughter should hand it back. Tell me, do you know what happens to your used cans? Why? Well, do you take them back, for instance? Like milk bottles, you mean? No. Why? A lot of them seem to be used for shipping illegal alcohol around the country. Labels drift off, of course. My cans where? Into the so-called monopoly states, where liquor is sold only by state-owned liquor stores. Bootleg liquor undersells those stores very profitably because somebody forgets to pay the federal alcohol taxes. Speaker 1 (7:39) We figure around three million dollars on this particular operation alone. Oh, you'd trace those cans to me. Mm-hmm. Through the manufacturer. You want to look around the place, Peters? I'll show you where we make the syrup and can it. Fifty, sixty employees, that guy. I'll even show you the garage where we ship it out to stores and wholesalers. Maybe I'll even give you a couple of cans to take home to the little woman. Come on. This way. Speaker 1 (8:15) Hello, Milky. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That you, Mr. Gordon? Listen, counter spies are sniffing around my plant here. Counter spies? So don't send any more trucks here from the still till you get word from me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Mr. Gordon, you had three trucks loaded and ready to roll out of your garage, didn't you? I got them out fast. So sit tight, Milky, and we'll be okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 1 (8:51) Peters to Harding in Washington. No evidence whatever at Hype Gordon's syrup plant to connect it or him with illegal alcohol manufacturers. However, have sent agents to trail three loaded trucks that left his garage while I was there. Gordon himself also under surveillance. Has three cars, including limousine with French chauffeurs. Lives in most expensive apartment hotel in Chicago, swarming with uniformed flunkies. Gordon's rental at least $15,000 a year for lavishly furnished penthouse apartments. Speaker 1 (9:33) Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Wake up, sweetheart. Love a boy. Oh, hi. Working? What else? It's only 12.30, Vinnie. Say, you got any bologna? Yes, sir. I'll sleep on the goddamn waiting table. Must be love. What's your name? The famous Flanagan sisters. And Uncle Sam. Holy smoke. I'm not sure yet. There's no time for you to get in trouble, lover boy. I still need that second one. Hey, I asked you if we got any bologna pumping. Oh, well, here we are