LAFAYETTE, Ga. — Authorities acting on a tip today found a large moonshine still that had been operating along the banks of Cane Creek near the Waterville community east of here.
Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said it was the first still he has seen in his county during his 12 years in office.
He said the still was about 100 yards behind Waterville Baptist Church, just across Cane Creek and tucked into thick brush at the foot of Taylor Ridge.
Sheriff’s officers were using a pick ax to destroy the still, which included a stainless steel boiler of some 50 gallons in size, heated with a propane burner.
No arrests had been made.
The owner of the property told police he did not know the still was there, Sheriff Wilson said. The illegal liquor operation was discovered by deputies acting on an anonymous tip.
Late this afternoon, investigators were continuing to look around the site for clues.
Sheriff Wilson said his men recovered three 55-gallon drums of mash, which he said was comprised of corn, barley and hops. He said there were about 30 empty sugar bags scattered around the site.
Water for the still was being drawn from Cane Creek.
Only about a gallon of finished product was found. That was in small quantities in Mason jars, gallon jugs and even old wine bottles, Sheriff Wilson said.
“We will contact the state revenue agent in Rome (Ga.), but we don’t expect to involve federal authorities,” Sheriff Wilson said.
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage.
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