A Florida Keys charter boat captain was arrested on drug trafficking charges after he was allegedly selling cocaine that was reportedly found at sea, authorities said.
Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested Monday for trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine and possessing cocaine, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
Picariello, of Marathon, was arrested after an investigation led by the sheriff’s office and joined by the DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol and others.
Officials said undercover detectives had purchased a kilogram of cocaine from Picariello for $10,000 on Monday.
His arrest also led to the seizure of 23 kilograms of cocaine, a 38-foot vessel, $8,000 in cash and a handgun, officials said.
“I want to thank all the Sheriff’s Office members and our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and continue to work to keep dangerous drugs out of our community,” Monroe Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement.
Picariello was booked into the Monroe County jail but was expected to face federal prosecution, officials said.
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