Eufaula neighbors puzzled by illegal moonshine operation

EUFAULA, AL (WTVM) -  Police in Eufaula says a phone call led them to uncover an illegal operation inside city limits. Investigators say they found moonshine in what seemed to be a deserted area off Van Henry Lane.

"It was a pretty big operation, about 250 gallons worth of moonshine," said Eufaula Police Sgt. Donald Brown. "The distillery was in process when they saw it. They sat on it for a while, but nobody showed up."

250 gallons worth of moonshine and an over $10,000 of an illegal operation is what police in Eufaula say was uncovered in a wooded area where very few residential homes neighbor.

Authorities say a group cutting trees in the area noticed the still and called the police to come out to take a look.

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About 35 fermentation barrels, which makes approximately product worth $7,500 dollars on each illegal run, is what investigators say they are working to find out who was stirring the batch.

The police department said they dismantled and disabled the operation.

Willis Upshaw says, "I really didn't know moonshine was made down in here." Upshaw lives around the corner from where the bust happened and just can not believe it was a one-man job. "When a person makes moonshine so he is going to have a buddy, it's just like anything else," said Upshaw.

Investigators in Eufaula handing the case over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but for now whoever was behind the illegal operation is out of business.

"Authorities knocked over the barrels and destroyed a lot of the stuff you would need to run a still; it is completely inoperable at this time," said Sgt. Brown.

If you have any information on this case you are asked to contact ALEA or the Eufaula Police Department.

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