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It was illegal, but there was still importation, and ships played false-flagging cat-and-mouse games with the British and U.S. squadrons trying to interdict the trade.

There were also sham companies, various screens to hide true beneficial ownership, and so on. Ships seized and auctioned off might be bought back by the former owners through nominees, etc.

The U.S.S. Constitution was part of the U.S. squadron, and the complaint was made that she was inappropriate for the duty. She was fast enough to run down any slaver, but a larger squadron of smaller, fast steam-assisted sloops and packets like those the Royal Navy used would have been a more-efficient deployment of resources. It was alleged that Southern influence in the Navy Department was responsible for the inefficiency of the American operation compared to our British counterparts.

The need for an American squadron was dictated by the American policy of not permitting foreign navies to board U.S.-flagged vessels. Lots of foreign slave-ships liked to break out the Stars and Stripes when a British ship appeared, so it was checkmate when the Constitution appeared and broke her own colors in reply. Ooops.