FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Dean
R. Argo (334) 213-6330
Moonshine
Still Found in Clay County, Arrest Pending
Agents
of the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board Thursday afternoon discovered a well-hidden
moonshine still near the city of Ashland in Clay County. A suspect was observed near the still and an
arrest is pending.
ABC Agents
assigned to the Moonshine Task Force located the 20-barrel still concealed in a
utility shed on property located down a dirt drive, a short distance from
Jericho Road. Agents, investigating a tip from a local resident about a
possible marijuana field in the area, smelled the unmistakable odor of mash. Agents
observed a suspect arriving on the property and waited for him to leave his vehicle.
The suspect was in possession of moonshine paraphernalia and, after
questioning, agents determined he was on the property to operate the still.
Task Force
members, assisted by Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, recovered and dismantled
the still cooker and seized 16.5 gallons of moonshine – 11.5 gallons of clear spirits
and five gallons of charred. The suspect will be allowed to turn himself in to
the Clay County Sheriff’s Office next week. He will be charged with one count of
possession of a still and one count of possession of illegal moonshine.
The
agents are part of the ABC Board’s Moonshine Task Force that investigates tips,
develops leads, and are skilled in tracking and following trails that are often
associated with this type of illegal operation. Anyone with any information
about these or any other illegal activities is encouraged to call the ABC Board
Hotline at 1-800-327-7341. Cash awards are available for information that
leads to an arrest and conviction.
-30-