Moonshine Operation Shut-down in McCurtain County Oklahoma

Authorities with the Oklahoma ABLE (Alcohol Beverage Laws Enforcement) Commission busted a moonshine still near Eagletown, Oklahoma. The bust happened earlier in the year with details just recently being released. In January an undercover investigator made purchases of illegal moonshine from Short’s Beer to Go in Eagletown.

This led law enforcement to Gary Branson, who was suspected of making the illegal hootch and selling it to that store.

When authorities searched Branson’s property the odor of the alcohol was noticed and led them to barrels of working mash, sugar, yeast, pots, burners, thumpers and cookers, the ingredients and tools needed to cook the shine. Jars of suspected moonshine were also found on the property. Branson was arrested and faces counts of evading alcoholic beverage tax, failure to possess a distiller’s license, possession with intent to sell alcoholic beverage and engaging in activity which requires an ABLE license.

Moonshine activity around the rural south has picked up in recent years with the popularity of the Discovery Channel series Moonshiners showcasing illegal liquor making in regions from the Appalachians to Louisiana.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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