witch hunt has begun

[bobtail]

Yesterday @ my business I had the pleasure of 5 ATF agents come for a visit. They were asking if I new anything about a still that was bought and shipped to my name & address from hillbilly stills. Thank God I had nothing around the shop to incriminate me .
After a 30 minute discussion about where the still might be(I sold it about 18 months ago ) they did not believe that I didn't know the name and address of the buyer and insisted that this wasn't over. They searched my shop, left me some info about all the laws I may be violating and jail time involved.
My word of advise, if you bought your still . Do not keep it at the address it was shipped to. nor at your house in case they decide to investigate further.
They were also trying to use the scare tactic , as there was no need for 5 agents harassing some one about the conseqenses of having a still and knowing others that may be distilling
tony

[Truckinbutch]

That does not sound good for the home team .

[pfshine]

Thanks for the heads up on this. I have never purchased one but good to know whats going on.

[drinkingdog]

As much as I hate to hear this it doesn't surprise me.

[woodshed]

A senseless battle. Actions such as this only serve to drive the hobby further under ground.
Which never makes it go away. Usually results in the opposite.

[jarheadshiner]

They came to your place of business and searched the shop? That is just crazy! Did they have a search warrant, or did you just cooperate to get them the hell out of there, since you had nothing on the premises?

[bobtail]

They came to your place of business and searched the shop? That is just crazy! Did they have a search warrant, or did you just cooperate to get them the hell out of there, since you had nothing on the premises?

I own a 4x4 shop and that's were I had the still shipped to. They did not show a warrant nor did I ask. They ask if they could look around and I knew I was clean and had no risk

[googe]

Sounds like you handled it well mate, hopefully they get similar responces and this stupid government crap gets nipped in the butt!. I can see thousands of people panicking and burying stills!.

[IrishEnigma]

Wow. Sounds like bad news for people that have ordered stills. Sucks for the people that do it for themselves as a hobby. Hope everyone the best of luck and thanks for the heads up!

[jarheadshiner]

Man I'm glad nothing was found and it all worked out for ya. What a shitty day!

[heartcut]

That does really suck. Land of the free?

[FullySilenced]

ITs a good thing you sold that dang piece of junk still... Bob...

[Soggy Bottom Boy]

Yesterday @ my business I had the pleasure of 5 ATF agents come for a visit. ....... They searched my shop, left me some info about all the laws I may be violating and jail time involved. ..... . Do not keep it at the address it was shipped to. nor at your house in case they decide to investigate further.
..... They were also trying to use the scare tactic , as there was no need for 5 agents harassing some one about the conseqenses of having a still and knowing others that may be distilling
tony

You are fortunate that they did not "escort" you to your house to have a look there as well, but perhaps they might need to have a warrant to do that. It does not mean that they can't figure out where you live by other means, and just show up there, out of the blue, too. I would be very nervous about being the subject of a surveillance effort, intent on seeing if you try to move equipment to another location from your residence.

That is some scary shit right there!

Sounds like you handled it well mate, hopefully they get similar responces and this stupid government crap gets nipped in the butt!. I can see thousands of people panicking and burying stills!.

Oh you gotta know that they are gonna catch more than just a few with prosecutable evidence by simply dropping in at the shipping address or home address of still buyers, even without a warrant, and seeing stuff laying around in plain sight.

5 guys show up, if they spot something out in the open that gives them probable cause, 1 guy goes to see the judge to get a warrant, 4 guys stake out North, South, East, and West of the property so you can't haul away anything to hide elsewhere, and the 1 guy returns a couple hours later with the warrant, BUSTED!

If there is nothing for them to see that merits probable cause, make a note if the "perp" seemed nervous for follow-up visits, and move on to the next address on the list. They could easily do 10 "drop-in" visits a day, and the law of averages will ensure that they get several busts in a month.

No, this is not good news at all!

[LWTCS]

They are triangulating info in and around known hotspots in order to catch a doofiss.
They are trying to eliminate all of the possiblities. They are duty bound to maintain their position but their primary responsibility is to catch moonshiners. Not to harass working stiffs and cost tax payers many thousands for only a few hundred if that.....IMO.

[FightnFive]

Definitely some scary stuff. Sounds like you did a great job staying cool and not crapping yourself.

[shadylane]

Officer, you must be mistaken, that's not a still.
It's a boiler to heat water for making beer.
And the copper coil is a wort chiller.
Would you like a cold one while I show you how it's done?

[drinkingdog]

Like FullySilenced pointed out it is a good thing you sold it awhile ago. Good thing you changed your mind and decided to follow the law's of the land whether you agree with them or not. I'm glad I changed my mind in regards to buying one or building one. I will continue to read and learn all I can about distilling just in case the law's change.

[drinkingdog]

Officer, you must be mistaken, that's not a still.
It's a boiler to heat water for making beer.
And the copper coil is a wort chiller.
Would you like a cold one while I show you how it's done?

My luck they would say sure we will take that cold one while you show us.

[rumplestiltskin]

Moonshining ? Yall make moonshine?

[Tater]

They are triangulating info in and around known hotspots in order to catch a doofiss.
They are trying to eliminate all of the possiblities. They are duty bound to maintain their position but their primary responsibility is to catch moonshiners. Not to harass working stiffs and cost tax payers many thousands for only a few hundred if that.....IMO.

Have they ask you for any address to fokes that you've sold to?If so did ya provide them?

[Soggy Bottom Boy]

Like FullySilenced pointed out it is a good thing you sold it awhile ago. Good thing you changed your mind and decided to follow the law's of the land whether you agree with them or not. I'm glad I changed my mind in regards to buying one or building one. I will continue to read and learn all I can about distilling just in case the law's change.

Like my good friend, and fellow escapee Delmar O'Donnell said,

"Okay... I'm with you fellas."

[Truckinbutch]

General state of things in the country right now with economy , drug trade , immigration issues ; think about it ........... Gov't bureaucrats got to pick on some non -controversial subjects to gain positive press .
I DO NOT WANT THIS TO DEVOLVE INTO A POLITICAL RANT ! My statement was just an observation of the times as I see them .

[Soggy Bottom Boy]

My luck they would say sure we will take that cold one while you show us.

That's why you always, always keep a six-pack of your worst, skunked-up home brew in the fridge. ...also good to use for those "friends" that hang around too much, guzzling your good beer, and never seem to reciprocate with anything worthwhile!

[dirtymax731]

What part of the country are you located? Are you in a dry county?

Just curious... glad you had no issues.

[Halfbaked]

Glad you were clean and happy you posted here what happened.

[Tap]

Glad there's no sudden repercussions for you. My first thought is that your hillbilly stills purchase was sent and delivered to your place of business. Your 4x4 shop as you put it.... Since it's (I assume) a legal business license, the Feds will have more reason to assume that you are a also dealing in 'moonshine' so to speak.... I doubt there would be as much heat on a private residence.

It's one thing to keep your "activities" seperate from your home... But another thing to link it to your legal business.

Tap. Out

[Bugflipper]

So the still companies notify the ATF? If that's the case why are folks keeping them in business?

[bobtail]

What part of the country are you located? Are you in a dry county?

Just curious... glad you had no issues.

tampa bay , and there aint nothing dry about this part of the country

[LWTCS]

They are triangulating info in and around known hotspots in order to catch a doofiss.
They are trying to eliminate all of the possiblities. They are duty bound to maintain their position but their primary responsibility is to catch moonshiners. Not to harass working stiffs and cost tax payers many thousands for only a few hundred if that.....IMO.

Have they ask you for any address to fokes that you've sold to?If so did ya provide them?

I have not yet been contacted.

[The KYChemist]

So the still companies notify the ATF? If that's the case why are folks keeping them in business?

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 35&t=39678

I would think its because people feel they don't have the skills, to build one. Or, they want the path of least resistance, and don't want the feeling of pride that comes from hard work and building your own.