Moonshine operation dismantled

Two Whitakers residents have been arrested on charges of running a major moonshine operation.

Smoke coming from a barn on an unusually hot October day was the clue N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent Tim Parker needed to pinpoint a moonshine still in the small town of Whitakers, and crack a case investigators had been working on for some time, an ALE press release states.

On Nov. 4, ALE agents seized 460 quart-sized glass mason jars of the liquor and a stainless steel liquor distillery with copper components. The street value of the moonshine was estimated at $11,000.

Brothers Herman Paul Wood and Joseph Adam Wood have been charged with unlawful possession of equipment or ingredients intended for the use of manufactured liquor, unlawfully manufacturing the liquor without first obtaining an ABC permit and revenue license and the willful and unlawful possession of liquor that had not had taxes paid on it, the release stated.

The illegal liquor was made from several fruits including watermelons, strawberries, apples, pears and plums. The Wood brothers allegedly grew and prepared all the fruit on their property in Nash County.

The N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement District I Office in Elizabeth City received information that moonshine was being manufactured in the Whitakers community, but the exact location had not been known.

“Through the use of undercover teams, surveillance and other sources of information, the investigation revealed the location where the moonshine was being stored and distributed, but the manufacturing point remained unknown,” the release states.

After seeing the smoke, ALE Special Agents Tim Parker and Kelvin Dickens questioned Herman Paul Wood and Joseph Adam Wood, both of whom live on the 11000 block of Red Oak Road. After questioning the men, agents determined that the Wood brothers allegedly were involved in the manufacturing, sale and distribution of a large-scale illegal alcohol operation. The investigation also alleged that illegal liquor was possessed and sold at the Wood residences. The moonshine still was located at Herman Wood’s residence.