ALE agents bust fruity moonshine operation

Whitakers, N.C. — Agents with the state Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement broke up an illegal liquor operation in Nash County last week and seized 460 quart-sized mason jars of moonshine, authorities said Tuesday.

Brothers Herman Paul Wood, of 11522 Red Oak Road, and Joseph Adam Wood, of 11498 Red Oak Road, have been charged with unlawful possession of equipment or ingredients intended for the use of manufactured spirituous liquor, unlawfully manufacturing spirituous liquor without first obtaining an ABC permit and revenue license and the willful and unlawful possession of non-tax-paid spirituous liquor.

ALE agents received a tip that liquor was being produced illegally in Whitakers, and they used undercover teams, surveillance and other sources of information to locate where moonshine was being stored and distributed. Smoke coming from a barn on an unusually hot October day then tipped agents off to the location of the distillery.

The illegal liquor was made from watermelons, strawberries, apples, pears and plums. Investigators said they believe the Wood brothers grew and prepared all the fruit on their property in Nash County.

The street value of the moonshine seized was estimated at $11,000.