Does the federal government have a role in establishing and maintaining a criminal bootlegging operation?

For example, in Greene v. United States, 454 F.2d 783 (9th Cir.1971), the government helped to reestablish and maintain a criminal bootlegging operation, supplied the essential equipment and ingredients, and was the only customer for the illicit liquor produced. The court vacated the convictions because it did not think that "the government may involve itself so directly and continuously over such a long period of time in the creation and maintenance of criminal operations and yet prosecute its collaborators." Id. at 787. In so holding, the court relied on a number of circumstances "which, in combination, require reversal of [the] convictions." Id. at 786 (emphasis added).