Agents of the Hollywood Police Department and Alabama State Troopers executed a search warrant at M&M welding on County Rd 33. Officers say a hydroponic Marijuana operation was located along with a moonshine still and roughly 10 to 15 gallons of moonshine. Officers also seized several automatic weapons and various other firearms. M&M welding is located in the 6000 block of county rd 33 nearly across the street from the elementary school. Mack Allbert was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana 1st degree, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Distilling prohibited liquors and Possession of a moonshine still. The ATF has been contacted to assisted with the investigation concerning the automatic weapons and more charges are expected.
The attached mugshot is of Mack Albert, 75, of Hollywood, Ala. He is charged with possession of marijuana first-degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, distilling prohibited liquors and possession of a moonshine still. He is held at the Jackson County, Ala., jail.More than 10 gallons of moonshine, a still, automatic weapons and a hydroponic marijuana operation were discovered by Hollywood, Ala., police and Alabama State Troopers on Monday at a welding business in Jackson County.
Officers armed with a search warrant raided M&M Welding on County Road 33, just across the street from Hollywood Junior High School, police Chief Jason Hepler said Tuesday.
The business owner, Mack Edward Allbert, 75, of 6188 County Road 33, was charged with possession of marijuana first-degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, distilling prohibited liquors and possession of a moonshine still, Hepler said.
The chief said Allbert's still was fashioned from a 10- to 15-gallon beer keg.
Officers found it filled with sour mash that had not yet been distilled. Another 10 to 15 gallons of illegal liquor was already bottled up, he said.
Hepler said the pot operation was "small," and about an ounce of weed was seized along with drug paraphernalia.
The probe is ongoing and more charges could arise from the federal Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' part of the investigation, Hepler said.
Officers found a number of firearms, five of which Hepler said were believed to be fully automatic, Israeli-made Uzis.
"We're going to trace the firearms to their original owners," ATF spokesman Michael Knight said Tuesday. Knight said that by determining the weapons' origins, investigators can tell whether they've been used in previous crimes.
Jackson County Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen said Allbert is being held at the Jackson County Jail and no court date has been set.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.