Driver stopped for speeding was running load of moonshine in gallon jugs, NC cops say

North Carolina is legendary for home brewed liquor — known as moonshine — and the N.C. State Highway Patrol says it found proof the illicit industry is still going strong during a traffic stop.

A motorist pulled over for allegedly speeding in Cumberland County, about 70 miles south of Raleigh, was hauling 20 gallons of “suspected moonshine,” according to a release. Authorities say a gun was also found in the car.

The department posted a photo of the load on Facebook, showing it was being transported in gallon plastic jugs, a modern innovation when compared to the rustic clay jugs of yore.

The N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement division confiscated the alleged booze and is investigating, the highway patrol said. The name of the suspect and charges were not released. Investigators did not release a specific location for the traffic stop.

Traditional homemade moonshine is known for being inferior to liquor manufactured by federal standards, but it compensates by being more potent. It is also occasionally toxic, due to short cuts taken by the creators.

News of the case in Cumberland County generated nearly 500 comments on social media in the past day, including references to NASCAR’s roots running bootleg, and the possibility the driver could claim the alleged moonshine was legal ethanol.

Others joked about the risky use of cheap plastic and a few mentioned this year’s highway patrol Christmas party.

“I’ve poured some good stuff in a plastic cup before. It wasn’t long before it went through the bottom,” Chris Mayo wrote on the department’s Facebook page.

“That wasn’t moonshine. It’s hand sanitizer,” Pamela Lawson posted.

“It’s antiviral COVID 19 healing water,” Johnny Carpenter added.

This story was originally published September 9, 2020 at 8:10 AM with the headline "Driver stopped for speeding was running load of moonshine in gallon jugs, NC cops say."