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It was recently discovered that an Alabama sewage treatment plant was doing more than just treating the water.
Police discovered an illegal vineyard on Thursday at the Rainsville Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rainsville, Alabama.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement it had received anonymous information about “a possible illegal operation of alcohol” at a municipal building.
Officers contacted Rainsville Mayor Roger Lingerfelt, who allowed them to search the water treatment plant, which is owned and operated by the city.
During the factory raid on Thursday, agents from the Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the State Bureau of Investigation found the unauthorized cellar.
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Lingerfelt announced on Friday that a factory supervisor had been suspended without pay as police continued to investigate, AL.com reported.
According to the newspaper, the anonymous supervisor has worked at the Rainsville sewage treatment plant for 15 years.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday seized wine illegally produced at the Rainsville Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rainsville, Alabama. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
The cellar “appeared to be operating for a long time,” the sheriff’s office statement said on Thursday.
Police photos show glass containers, buckets, a fermentation rack and other equipment often used by people who make wine at home.
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Photos also show several fermentation vessels filled with what appears to be over 100 gallons of white and red liquid.
The illegal cellar “appears to have operated for a long time,” officials said in a statement. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Although it is legal in Alabama to make certain amounts of wine at home, it is illegal to have more than 15 gallons of homemade wine or beer at a time.
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According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation is ongoing and arrests are expected.
After police discovered the illegal cellar, a factory supervisor was suspended without pay while police investigate. (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
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“I want to thank the mayor for his cooperation and willingness to allow law enforcement to do our job and shut down something like this,” Sheriff Nick Welden said in a statement. “This is certainly one of the most significant operations we have seen in our county and possibly in our state. Many thanks to the public and their advice against ALL illegal activity.”
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“Again, no matter who you are, no one is above the law,” Welden added. “We will not tolerate anyone using their position to hide their illegal actions at taxpayer expense.”
Rainsville is approximately 100 miles north of Birmingham and has a population of approximately 5,100.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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