A Florida charter boat captain is in hot water after he allegedly peddled drugs reportedly found at sea to undercover officers, according to authorities.
Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested Monday on suspicion of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine in the Florida Keys, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said said in a statement Post to social media.
Authorities said Picariello coordinated a drug deal with undercover officers at his owned business, Outlaw Fishing Charters, in Marathon around 3 p.m. Monday. according to arrest report Obtained by the Miami Herald.
Before the transaction, Picariello allegedly spoke on the phone with the undercover agent and instructed him to bring a cooler to the dock so it would appear as if he was picking up fish.
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Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested in Marathon, Florida on Monday, January 19, 2026, on suspicion of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possession of cocaine, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media.
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The captain also allegedly told agents that he also had 100 pounds of cocaine in case he wanted to buy more illegal drugs, the outlet reported.
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When the agent arrived on Piccarillo’s boat, he allegedly handed the kilogram of cocaine to the “buyer” to put it in a cooler, authorities said, according to the report.
While Piccarillo was waiting for $10,000 in cash to complete the illegal transaction, authorities reportedly surrounded his boat and arrested him.
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Authorities said that on Monday, January 19, 2026, they seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40-caliber handgun, approximately $8,000 in cash and a 38-foot boat from the property of Bradford Todd Picariello in Marathon, Florida.
Police said the captain revealed the remainder of his illegal stash was hidden in a storage room and allowed them to search it, the outlet reported.
Authorities later discovered nearly two dozen pieces of cocaine wrapped in plastic wrap and stamped “332,” according to the release.
While Picariello was in custody, officials also seized about 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40-caliber handgun, about $8,000 in cash and a 38-foot boat from the premises, authorities said.
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Bradford Todd Picariello reportedly runs a self-operated business called Outlaw Fishing Charters in Marathon, Florida.
“I would like to thank all members of the Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and continue to work to keep dangerous drugs out of our stores,” Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsey said in a statement.
Picariello was transported to a local jail and federal prosecution is expected in the case.
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The investigation was conducted with assistance from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Detectives, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Investigators, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Original source of the article: Captain accused of selling cocaine found at sea to undercover police officers in sun-soaked tourist paradise: Police
