Explosion, fire at illegal North Carolina distillery leads to arrest

WILKES COUNTY, N.C. - A 69-year-old man was arrested after an explosion and fire at an illegal liquor distillery in Wilkes County, North Carolina, officials said.

The backstory:

North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement special agents investigated the incident Monday, Oct. 26, after being contacted by the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilkes County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Dig deeper:

The fire was caused by an active operation producing non-taxpaid liquor, according to ALE.

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Agents discovered a 200-gallon illegal distillery and seized approximately 1,800 gallons of mash and 161 gallons of moonshine, officials said.

Billy Ray Anderson of North Wilkesboro was arrested and charged with manufacturing, possessing for sale and possessing non-taxpaid alcoholic beverages. He also faces charges of possessing distillery equipment, possessing distillery ingredients and allowing property to be used to manufacture non-taxpaid alcohol.

ALE said its special agents investigate illegal distilleries and the distribution of unregulated alcoholic beverages across North Carolina, citing public safety concerns related to hazardous manufacturing practices.

The Source: The information came from a news release issued by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division. This story was reported from Los Angeles.