Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested Monday on charges of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine in the Florida Keys, the Monroe County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a statement<\/a> posted to social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n Authorities allege Picariello coordinated a drug deal with undercover deputies at his self-owned business, Outlaw Fishing Charters, in Marathon around 3 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report<\/a> obtained by the Miami Herald.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ahead of the deal, Picariello allegedly spoke with the undercover agent over the phone, reportedly instructing him to bring a cooler to the marina so it would appear as though he was picking up fish.<\/p>\n FEDS ARREST FELON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AFTER SEIZING TENS OF MILLIONS IN METH STASHED IN BLACKBERRIES<\/a><\/p>\n Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested on charges of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine in Marathon, Fla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, the Monroe County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a statement posted to social media. (The Monroe County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/p>\n The boat captain also allegedly told the agent that he had an additional 100 pounds of cocaine in the event he was looking to purchase even more of the illegal drugs, the outlet reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n When the agent arrived at Picariello\u2019s boat, he allegedly handed the kilo of cocaine<\/a> over to the “buyer” for him to place in his cooler, authorities reportedly said.\u00a0<\/p>\n As Picariello waited to be handed $10,000 in cash to complete the illegal transaction, authorities reportedly swarmed his boat and placed him under arrest.<\/p>\n FLORIDA SHERIFF CALLS MASSIVE DRUG OPERATION ”BREAKING BAD’ ON STEROIDS’ AFTER RECORD-BREAKING BUST<\/a><\/p>\n Authorities say they seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40-caliber handgun, roughly $8,000 in cash and a 38-foot vessel from Bradford Todd Picariello\u2019s possession in Marathon, Fla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.\u00a0 (The Monroe County Sheriff\u2019s Office)<\/p>\n Police said the captain revealed the remainder of his illegal stash was hidden inside a storage unit and allowed them to conduct a search, the outlet reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n Authorities subsequently discovered nearly two dozen kilos of cocaine covered in plastic wrap and marked with a “332” stamp, according to the news release.\u00a0<\/p>\n As Picariello was being taken into custody, officials also seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40-caliber handgun, roughly $8,000 in cash and a 38-foot vessel<\/a> from the premises, authorities said.<\/p>\n COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR SURVIVORS AFTER US STRIKES SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORIST VESSELS IN EASTERN PACIFIC<\/a><\/p>\n Bradford Todd Picariello reportedly ran a self-owned business called Outlaw Fishing Charters in Marathon, Fla. (iStock)<\/p>\n “I want to thank all the Sheriff\u2019s Office members and our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and continue to work to keep dangerous drugs out of our community,” Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement.<\/p>\n Picariello was transported to the local jail, and the case is expected to be prosecuted federally<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Bradford](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/bradford-todd-picariello-florida-boat-captain-drug-arrest_03.jpg\")
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