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Florida Keys Charter Captain Arrested in Undercover Cocaine Sting That Led to 23-Kilo Seizure

Prosecutors are expected to take the case to federal court following a multi-agency investigation.

Overview

  • Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, of Marathon, was arrested Jan. 19 after selling a kilogram of cocaine for $10,000 to an undercover detective at a marina.
  • Investigators seized about 23 kilograms of cocaine, $8,000 in cash, a .40-caliber handgun, and his 38-foot vessel during the operation.
  • After the arrest, officers searched a storage unit with his consent and recovered nearly two dozen wrapped kilos marked with a “332” stamp, according to the arrest report.
  • The arrest report says he told the source to bring a cooler to make the pickup look like fish and claimed he had an additional “100 pounds” available later.
  • Picariello faces state counts of trafficking, selling, and possessing cocaine, remains in Monroe County custody, and is scheduled for a Feb. 4 arraignment as federal charges are anticipated.