KVUE (Austin, Texas) 04 April 08 TABC testing rattlesnake vodka (Shelton Green)

Federal authorities are now showing interest in an unusual find at a snake farm in Weatherford, outside of Fort Worth.

A few weeks ago a customer who visited "Bayou Bob's Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch" called the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to complain about an interesting elixir being sold to patrons.

The owner of the snake ranch was rebottling vodka and putting baby rattlesnakes inside of them.

The owner Bob Popplewell told KVUE that he was selling them as novelty items.

Popplewell was arrested by the TABC. and charged with selling alcohol without a license.

However his troubles may be far from over.

The TABC is currently testing the rattlesnake vodka at its chemistry lab in Austin to see if the mixture contains impurities and toxins.

Agents believe that some customers who spent $23 a bottle on the rattlesnake vodka may have ingested the liquid.

"When I tested the alcohol content I had to turn on the fans and clear out the room for a while because it really fouled the chemistry lab up" says Joy Murray, the TABC's chemist.

Investigators say they don't know if the baby rattlers were alive or dead when entombed in the vodka.

The snake farm owner faces up to a year in prison and federal charges may follow.
TABC testing rattlesnake vodka

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