Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies dismantle large liquor still in Holly Hill

Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies located and destroyed a large liquor still operation in Holly Hill, according to Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.

Ravenell said the still site was located while a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter was searching for marijuana grow operations in the county.

During an investigation, sheriff’s deputies located 25 55-gallon barrels filled with corn mash that was fermenting and had a strong smell of alcohol, according to Ravenell.

Ravenell said officers also located two 5-gallon containers of what appeared to be moon shine located by the still site as well as equipment used to produce moon shine.

After an investigation, sheriff’s deputies were able to locate the owner of the property who said the storage building located at the site was used for a social club where she sold food and beer. The woman later retracted her statement and said the social club was private and that everyone put money together for the alcohol and the food she served, according to Ravenell.

So far, no arrests have been made as a result of the investigation.

This story was originally published September 4, 2014 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Orangeburg County Sheriff’s deputies dismantle large liquor still in Holly Hill."