News Release

March 20, 2007
News Release Contact:
Becky Gettings - (804) 213-4419
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

Special Agents Featured on National Geographic Channel

Tune in and enjoy the show--The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Illegal Whiskey Taskforce Unit is documented in a television special "Moonshine Today". The documentary features a covert investigation administered by ABC's Illegal Whiskey Taskforce special agents who uncover a "nip joint" or underground bar in Southwest Virginia.

"We need to wrap this up before sundown," Special Agent in Charge of ABC's Illegal Whiskey Taskforce Buddy Driskill told the National Geographic reporter filming the documentary-and wrapping it up they did-during the raid ABC special agents uncovered a large distillery that produced 500 gallons of untaxed whiskey in one week. Before it was seized live on the documentary, the illegal distillery had been in operation for one year, bringing the total number of unpaid state and federal taxes to $480 thousand dollars.

Today's moonshine business is strictly about making money. A moonshine purveyor can make a $2,000 profit per week by manufacturing a one 800 gallon black pot still of illegal whiskey. Moonshine is illegal because it is made and sold without taxes and manufactured without a license. Research indicates that it is a 20 million dollar business in Virginia alone.

"The investigations require long hours both day and night and are only considered successful if the actual operator is charged and convicted for making untaxed whiskey," said Buddy Driskill, special agent in charge of ABC's Illegal Taskforce Unit. Possession of untaxed whiskey in Virginia is a class one misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Illegal manufacturing of moonshine is a class 6 felony and is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The exclusive special, "Moonshine Today", will air on the National Geographic Channel on March 31 at 7 p.m. with an encore presentation at 10 p.m. Members of ABC's Illegal Taskforce Unit include Special Agent in Charge Buddy Driskill, Senior Special Agent Jay Calhoun, Special Agent Randall Toney, Special Agent Allan Arrington and Special Agent Don Harris.