North Carolina Department of Public Safety said the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office and other county officials contacted ALE agents after the Monday, October 26 structure fire was the result of an active “non-taxpaid liquor manufacturing operation.”
Moreover, when ALE agents arrived at the scene, they seized 1,800 gallons of mash and 161 gallons of moonshine.
After the ALE investigation, police arrested Billy Ray Anderson, 69, of North Wilkesboro.
Furthermore, he is facing charges of manufacturing a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession for sale of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, possession of distillery equipment, possession of distillery ingredients and allowing property to end up used for the making of a non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage, officials said.
A North Carolina man faces multiple charges after agents with the state’s Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) determined an illegal liquor distillery caused an explosion and fire.
Source: NC Department of Public Safety
Anderson will appear before a judge on the charges in January, according to court records.