Florida Keys boat captain accused of selling kilos of cocaine found at sea

MARATHON, Fla. (CBS12) — A 65-year-old Florida Keys boat captain was arrested Monday after deputies say he was selling kilos of drugs that he found at sea.

Following an investigation led by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies say they nabbed Bradford Todd Picariello and seized 23 kilograms of cocaine, his 38-foot vessel, $8,000 in cash, and a .40-caliber handgun.

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The investigation ended Monday when undercover Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Detectives purchased a kilogram of cocaine from Picariello for $10,000, and placed him under arrest.

Picarello was subsequently booked into the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on counts of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine, and possessing cocaine.