TABC seizes rattlesnake vodka in Palo Pinto County

[Ed Mahmoud]

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Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents seized 411 bottles of illegal hooch Thursday at Bayou Bob's Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch in Palo Pinto County.

But it wasn't your typical variety of moonshine: the bottles of vodka also contained 10-inch rattlesnakes.

"In my 20 years with the TABC, I've never seen anything like it," Sgt. Charlie Cloud said Friday.

Bob Popplewell, the owner of Bayou Bob's, did not return messages left on his voicemail at his snake farm near Santo in Palo Pinto County.

TABC officials said they plan to file charges next week for the sale of alcohol without a permit and possession of alcohol with the intent to sell. Penalties for those charges include up to a year in the county jail and fines up to $1,000 upon conviction.