Charter boat captain in the Florida Keys is accused of selling kilos of cocaine discovered at sea.

Florida Keys Charter Captain Arrested in Drug Bust

A charter boat captain in the Florida Keys has been taken into custody following a coordinated drug operation where he allegedly sold cocaine he found at sea.

Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested on Monday after he reportedly sold one kilogram of cocaine to an undercover detective from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for $10,000, according to a statement released by the ministry.

As detailed in the arrest report, the drug deal was set up around 3 p.m. at a Marathon marina, where Picariello operates a business named Outlaw Fishing Charters. It’s a bit ironic, to say the least.

During a phone conversation, the captain instructed the undercover officer to bring a cooler, suggesting it would appear like he was simply collecting fish.

Additionally, Picariello claimed to have another 100 pounds of cocaine ready for sale when questioned by investigators.

When the undercover agent arrived at the boat, Picariello handed over the cocaine to place in the cooler, according to the detailed reports.

Things took a turn when he asked a deputy for money; at that moment, officers moved in to arrest him.

Afterward, Picariello informed police that more drugs were stored in a facility nearby and consented to a search, as noted by the local news.

The search led to the discovery of around 24 kilograms of cocaine, all marked with the stamp “332.”

In total, authorities seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, $8,000 in cash, a .40 caliber handgun, and a 38-foot container during the raid.

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey expressed gratitude to all involved in the operation, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to combat dangerous drug activity in the area.

Picariello has been denied bail and is facing multiple charges, including trafficking and possession of cocaine, with the case likely proceeding at the federal level.