Boat captain accused of selling cocaine found at sea to undercover cops in sun-soaked tourist haven: police

A Florida charter vessel skipper is successful blistery h2o aft allegedly peddling drugs helium reportedly recovered astatine oversea to undercover deputies, according to authorities. 

Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested Monday connected charges of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine successful the Florida Keys, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said successful a connection posted to societal media. 

Authorities allege Picariello coordinated a cause woody with undercover deputies astatine his self-owned business, Outlaw Fishing Charters, successful Marathon astir 3 p.m. Monday, according to an apprehension study obtained by the Miami Herald. 

Ahead of the deal, Picariello allegedly spoke with the undercover cause implicit the phone, reportedly instructing him to bring a cooler to the marina truthful it would look arsenic though helium was picking up fish.

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Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested connected charges of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine successful Marathon, Florida connected Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said successful a connection posted to societal media. (The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)

The vessel skipper besides allegedly told the cause that helium had an further 100 pounds of cocaine, successful the lawsuit helium was looking to acquisition adjacent much of the amerciable drugs, the outlet reported. 

When the cause arrived astatine Picariello’s boat, helium allegedly handed the kilo of cocaine implicit to the "buyer" for him to spot successful his cooler, authorities reportedly said. 

As Picariello waited to beryllium handed $10,000 successful currency to implicit the amerciable transaction, authorities reportedly swarmed his vessel and placed him nether arrest.

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Authorities accidental they seized astir 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40 handgun, astir $8,000 successful currency and a 38-foot vas from Bradford Todd Picariello’s possession successful Marathon, Florida connected Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.  (The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)

Police said that the skipper revealed the remainder of his amerciable stash was hidden wrong a retention unit, and allowed them to behaviour a search, the outlet reported. 

Authorities subsequently discovered astir 2 twelve kilos of cocaine, covered successful integrative wrapper and marked with a "332" stamp, according to the quality release. 

As Picariello was being taken into custody, officials besides seized astir 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40 handgun, astir $8,000 successful currency and a 38-foot vas from the premises, authorities said.

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Bradford Todd Picariello reportedly ran a self-owned concern called Outlaw Fishing Charters successful Marathon, Florida. (iStock)

"I privation to convey each the Sheriff’s Office members and our instrumentality enforcement partners who investigated this lawsuit and proceed to enactment to support unsafe drugs retired of our community," Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said successful a statement.

Picariello was transported to the section jail, and the lawsuit is expected to beryllium prosecuted federally.

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The probe was conducted with the assistance of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Detectives, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area investigators, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Drug and Enforcement Administration, and CBP Air and Marine Operations. 

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital’s petition for comment.