How to dispose of an alcohol still

[goose eye]

I don't think ttb will come knockin. This info
Will be shared and is a key to your front door.
Add to it he said she said and the right judge an
there you have it.

I don't understand how it legal to sale a outfit to
someone in a state where it is illegal to own much
less drive. Then they gonna report you.
Ain't no sympathy from me for the outfit makers.
But ain't none of my business.


So I'm tole

[Dan P.]

If it were me I would take that still straight down to the scrap yard. Get a receipt.

There is no way $4000 and a stupid hobby is worth my freedom, my property and the future happiness and security of my family.

It's easy to think shit only ever happens to other people. Well, the OP has the opportunity to avoid being one of those other people. He should take it.

[lampshade]

Pacman810,

I noticed that your self-described location is "Occupied Mexico". This is not a political forum. Please that your illusionary grievances elsewhere. I think your delusional grievance might be served by fighting Pakistan, formed in 1948 by murdering several million Indians just so they could have a Muslim state. Remember that "Pakistan" means "Land of the Pure".

Maybe yet, you could help the oppressed by sending the Indians in Mexico 10% or more of the wages your earned in "Occupuied Mexico", the wages you obviously believe you earned from an illegal employer, one who should be Mexican.

[InglisHill]

Calling them illusionary greiviances is just as political.

Could have said that in a far better way eh?

[Dan P.]

Pacman810,

I noticed that your self-described location is "Occupied Mexico". This is not a political forum. Please that your illusionary grievances elsewhere. I think your delusional grievance might be served by fighting Pakistan, formed in 1948 by murdering several million Indians just so they could have a Muslim state. Remember that "Pakistan" means "Land of the Pure".

Maybe yet, you could help the oppressed by sending the Indians in Mexico 10% or more of the wages your earned in "Occupuied Mexico", the wages you obviously believe you earned from an illegal employer, one who should be Mexican.

Mmmm! Angry drunken internet ranting! It's one of my favourite activites, too!

[SanDiegoShiner]

@the OP, don't sell your still man. Knowing just a few things will make this an easy battle to win. First off it is your responsibility to keep everything distilling related out of sight from a public place. Read into that and think about it. I used to know a judge who told me something I'll never forget. "The fourth amendment won't pull the curtains for ya." This means to me that if your property is not fenced and locked you should go look through all your windows and make dann sure you can't see anything illegal. Then walk inside and enjoy your freedoms. Second thing is NEVER CONSENT TO UNWARRANTED SEARCHES. If they have a warrant you should not resist, but are under no obligation to assist or provide information to anyone. If the ttb, atf, or anyone else came to my door that didn't look right through the peep hole I wouldn't even open it. If someone enters a building on your property without your consent, and they have never been there before I'd treat them like a burglar because that's what they are.

Read up and know your rights. Don't let this letter intimidate you. Those that came before us fought and died so we would not have to bow down to an oppressive government. No matter what you own your rights are the most valuable thing you have next to your family. Don't give them up for anybody.

Thanks for this advice, I live in a gated community with 10 homes on a private street. My house is very isolated and not exposed to the street. Everything I have is very discreet and hidden. No one know what I do. My problem is that I have a wife and kids. I travel quite a bit. I am always afraid someone will come when I am not home and they will just let the cops, ttb, aft right in. I think I like the advice from another poster. Take the loss and go to the scrap yard. I have discussed with my wife (and kids) that they should only answer questions to the police with a lawyer present and they should only let people enter the house with a warrant, but you never know. I have very respectful kids and wife.

[Prairiepiss]

Get a fuel alcohol permit. So you have had it for a while. So what. You bought it with intentions to make fuel with it. And it got put on hold. And since you got the letter. You thought you better get the paperwork done. So it would be legal.

[bearriver]

Get a fuel alcohol permit. So you have had it for a while. So what. You bought it with intentions to make fuel with it. And it got put on hold. And since you got the letter. You thought you better get the paperwork done. So it would be legal.

That permit is around 10 dollars last I heard. Sure there is work involved, but the permit is cheap.

Good idea

[Brutal]

Get a fuel alcohol permit. So you have had it for a while. So what. You bought it with intentions to make fuel with it. And it got put on hold. And since you got the letter. You thought you better get the paperwork done. So it would be legal.

That permit is around 10 dollars last I heard. Sure there is work involved, but the permit is cheap.

Good idea

And it allows them to come and inspect the whole address unannounced. Legally. I would never get one of those. Of course I refuse to get a concealed carry permit either. I am not average.

I have to say of the rich people I know, and I know a few, it seems the richer they are the less regard they have for breaking the law. I learn from them how to enjoy life. How to put aside worries of small things that sometimes get the best of me. These people know how to get it done making money, and how to get it done having fun. There is no life without risk. I am going to live mine.

[MitchyBourbon]

I think getting.a permit is a good idea. The ttb is entitled to snoop around from time to time but they will eventually get bored. Plus it will give you an opportunity to ask them what the proper way to dispose of.a still is.

[Prairiepiss]

And it allows them to come and inspect the whole address unannounced. Legally. I would never get one of those. Of course I refuse to get a concealed carry permit either. I am not average.

So what you are saying here is. If you got a letter saying. We know you carry a concealed gun. This is illegal in the area you are doing it in. And there could be legal actions brought against you. That you would keep on carrying it. Knowing they could be watching for you to carry it. When they done told you its illegal? Pleading stupidity is out the window. Since they done told you its illegal.

And at this point the TTB has already sent him a letter. They know he bought a still. They have what they need to snoop around. What's the difference. Oh yea one way is legal and the other is illegal. One way he can get busted. The other if done correctly. Won't.

I think I would rather run the chance of having someone come inspect my operation. Then run the chance of looseing everything I own and my life. Or hell scrapping $4000 worth of still. For that matter.

[Brutal]

They have what they need to snoop around..

I don't think they do. They would still need a search warrant to get inside the house. Just knowing he bought a still (assuming its not illegal in and of itself in his state) isn't enough to get that. You don't give them that probable cause and they don't get a warrant plain and simple. Not like they are looking for some middle aged guy making his own hooch anyway.

I hate to disagree with you Mr. P. I think I have read every post you made at least twice. I think if the heat was really on us we would know about it. Just because a low budget federal agency sent out a zillion letters they can't do anything about doesn't mean I'm going to change the way I do things. I was careful before and I'm careful now. Nobody local is looking for me. The ttb doesn't have the time to chase us all down. I think throwing away a perfectly good still and an amazingly interesting hobby over it is a waste.

@the OP: We each make our own decisions about the risks we take. You have to do what you are comfortable with.

[Prairiepiss]

Tell that to the people in Florida that got busted.

It's a guessing game at this point.

If they wanted to. They could find a way to get that warrant.

So the question is. Are you the one they want to make an example out of?

I sometimes wonder if Murphy didn't write my name into his law somewhere. If I was to get a letter. It would be in my best interest to take care of the problem. Because what will go wrong will. For me at least. Thankfully I am not on any of those lists. And I am moving to a state. That has seemingly changed their laws in favor of the home distiller.

[Pacman0810]

Uhhh, Lampshade. It's a joke. Meaning I live in the Southwest. I saw you posted at 4am so I will assume there were mitigating factors that affected your post.

[lampshade]

You're right, Pacman0810, there were mitigating factors, and I apologize to all for my rant.

[Tap]

I think this members account has been deleted.

I mean the original poster.

[thecroweater]

If it were me I would take that still straight down to the scrap yard. Get a receipt.
There is no way $4000 and a stupid hobby is worth my freedom, my property and the future happiness and security of my family.
It's easy to think shit only ever happens to other people. Well, the OP has the opportunity to avoid being one of those other people. He should take it.

Dan your advise is truly terrible and plays on this guys fears, Do you think your government couldn't find out who you are and where you are. Well they could if they could be bothered so maybe someone should advise you to destroy all your distilling property and refrain from the hobby forthwith . secondly, What on earth makes you think it is more legal to destroy the still than sell it, there would be absolutely no legal difference, therefore I find your advise flawed to the point of offensive

[RandyMarshCT]

SanDiegoShiner, if you're willing to take that loss (scrap), how about another idea....

I'll give you $1000 for all your gear (providing it is actually $4K in equipment) along with a signed receipt listing all the equipment, your name and address, and my name and address. I'll also give you a picture of my face with the serial number from the flute (mine is on the condenser) in my hand.... proving, without a doubt, that you sold it to me for $1000 cash.

You won't get $1000 from the scrapyard, I feel pretty confident about that.

[bearriver]

Being a tax paying voter, I would suffer the consequences before a piece of paper from some Glock wielding bureaucrat intimidated me away from a passion. You might see that as reckless, which is perfectly okay. It's just the difference between me and you.

The spice of life, as they say...

[Dan P.]

Dan your advise is truly terrible and plays on this guys fears, Do you think your government couldn't find out who you are and where you are. Well they could if they could be bothered so maybe someone should advise you to destroy all your distilling property and refrain from the hobby forthwith . secondly, What on earth makes you think it is more legal to destroy the still than sell it, there would be absolutely no legal difference, therefore I find your advise flawed to the point of offensive

Mate, did you not read the part where he says that a) he got a letter from the Federal authorities letting him know that they have indeed bothered to find out that he has a still and b) that he is a man with a lot to lose? No? Maybe you shoud read the original post again.
And are you familiar with the penalty for illegal distillation in the US? No. It can include forfeiture of property. That means having the property on which the distilling takes place confiscated. If that property belongs to you, that is a serious thing to think about, no matter how unlikely. Goodbye mortgage. Goodbye job. etc. etc.
And for what? So you can pursue a hobby? Imagine this guy is your brother-in-law, and he got this letter, and carried on distilling anyway, and got caught. Now your sister and her kids are out on the street. You'd give him a good working over, right?
As for selling vs. scrapping, yes, you can wait a month or two for the gazillion day-dreamers and time-wasters to think about buying your still, but personally I am not poor enough or stupid enough to believe that it is worth $4000 to endanger the wellfare of my loved ones for this nonsense.
NB I am not referring to RandyMarsh in the above paragraph. I would take his offer onetime if it were me.

[thecroweater]

yes Dan I did read that, many ppl got that letter and yes it could be argued he would be wise not to run the still for some time but I am appalled at advise to destroy the still or sell it for next to nothing for scrap, hell why even sell it, as said just store it. Perhaps this letter really put this guy off distilling and that may well and seems to be the case but there is no justification for wasting that amount of money and without even looking into if it could legally kept without being used is in my very honest opinion truly appalling advise. There is some risk with our hobby and its not for every one but for one distiller to advise another to this action is incredulous to me, seems to me this generic letter was sent out to many and yes they would be wise to refrain from distilling on the recorded address but the very nature of this hobby (at least in my country) has an inherent risk (not a big risk but its a risk the same) and yet here we are. My Brother in law runs a pot still btw . The OP got some very good advise but seems to have gone with yours which was very poor advise indeed. you say this guy said he has a lot to lose well who doesn't have you ever heard of any one anywhere ever losing there house car ect for owning a hobby still, you only have a lot to lose if you are risking it any i would wager that no where can they take your house, car, job, love ones ect just for owning a hobby still. very likely it is in fact quite legal to own it. Sorry but I still think that advise was appalling and does not represent a rational option for one distiller to advise to another

[Dan P.]

Sorry croweater, my advice and my opinion remain unchanged.
The money you spend on a hobby should be disposable income.
Hobbies do not come before your obligations to your family.

[goose eye]

Crow a hobby still is somethang folks round here
invented to justify what they doin.
you can't make a living on a 2 barrel outfit. Do that
make it a hobby still.
making likker is like vein pregnant. You either is or
you ain't. Ain't no little bit when the law concerned.
You ask if anyone no of them taking a truck or car for
haulin. Yes. 5 gal. Some places this been goin on for
100s years. Not sure where you from but it ain't here.

If the man can't handle pressure. You talkin down to
him ain't the way.

So I'm role

Round here we grow all the bacca we want. How bout you.

[googe]

I hope he took.randy up in the offer!, everyones happy that way. I do see where he's coming from and see dans point of view, I'm easily rattled by authority too, just get paranoid!. We are all different and some.not as strong as others when face to face with the law. I learnt when I was younger to be honest with them and don't hide shit cause when it comes to time in court they will shaft you for being a ass. We don't experience the degree of pressure from authorities here in aus like you lot do, so we really don't know what it's like to be in your shoes, I certainly would not like getting a letter from someone saying they know I'm doing something illegal, I would probably panic like the OP did. I hope you don't have to scrap it!.

[Truckinbutch]

Goose Eye has a valid point , Crow . I had to rapidly disappear all my proudof's when a daughter , that happens to work for the FBI , snooped into my affairs enough to threaten to turn me in . They won't find shit here now except , maybie , a jug or two which is misdemeanor posession .
>The consequences here in the States can be rather serious . They got to find your rig to charge you . None of mine is now on my property . That girl is no longer welcome here , either .

[planethax]

If he lives in a state that owning a still I legal then just don't have product or wash/mash around.

Hell I would even think you'd be ok telling them you purchased rig cause you thought it was legal to make. Then shortly after realized different. So keeping still as a show piece ornament.

If its legal to own they can't so shit?

[thecroweater]

Hmm think my point of view came across slanted. Look I understand the guy panicking a bit and I could understand him wanting to be laying low or even thinking jeez I don't need this stress and selling out. What I don't get is advise to scrap it for next to nothing wasting as he claims $4000, I don't see how that is good advise as if anyone did come knocking would they care less if it was trashed rather than sold. Does anyone Know if it is legal to own the still in that state because that is more like the sort of imfo that the OP might have found useful to make an informed decision.

Round here we grow all the bacca we want. How bout you.

Yes I quite get your point as it has become illegal here now to grow your own tobacco and how. The penalty is a mandatory $50,000 and mandatory 2 years in prison per plant plus the "owed excise" times 5 calculated by the whole weight of the plants at the time of seizer. personally I don't think any of these laws are enforceable particularly as they are mandatory and not reducible and a freedom minded person like myself may or may not have had 30 odd plants in. Of cause a fella would have to weigh up if he thought freedom is worth a threat of excess 15 million dollars and sixty years in jail?. My view is you betcha it is and much more but I fully understand others not taking that point of view

[Dan P.]

Of cause a fella would have to weigh up if he thought freedom is worth a threat of excess 15 million dollars and sixty years in jail?. My view is you betcha it is and much more but I fully understand others not taking that point of view

What about a fellow who had received a letter from a law enforcement agency informing him that they were aware of his recent order of tobacco seeds?

[shadylane]

Has anyone asked the TTB how to dispose of an alcohol still?

[Brutal]

Things are different for each of us. I've had a local officer help me switching out jars before. That doesn't mean there aren't others that work with him that would take me to jail in a second if I caught their attention and allowed them the evidence. From what I hear there are others on that department who do this for personal consumption just like we do.