Chickasha Police Uncover 'Moonshine' Operation

The Chickasha Police Department discovered an illegal moonshine still after someone stumbled upon something suspicious in a wooded area.

The person pointed police to an area near the Livestock Nutrition Center on Sheppard Street near Iowa Avenue. On Wednesday, officers found the moonshine still, several components of the still, and two bottles of moonshine whiskey. All were taken into evidence.

During an investigation, police identified 29-year-old Ryan Keith Smith, an employee of Livestock Nutrition Center, as a suspect. Police say Smith, who's from Anadarko, admitted to operating the still and stealing the hardware to make it from the feed manufacturing facility. They say he also stole corn, yeast, molasses, and sugar from the feed manufacturer to make the illegal alcohol.

Smith was arrested and charges are pending against him. Both the Chickasha Police Department and the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission (ABLE) are investigating.