Florida Boat Captain Caught in $500K Cocaine Bust

Close-up map of Florida and surrounding areas. — COCAINE BUST BOMBSHELL

A trusted Florida Keys charter boat captain, running a family business for decades, stands accused of selling sea-recovered cocaine to undercover deputies, exposing how drug smugglers’ castoffs fuel local crime even under President Trump’s tough border crackdown.

Story Snapshot

Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, was arrested on January 19, 2026, after selling 1 kg of cocaine for $10,000 to undercover MCSO detectives.
Authorities seized 23 kg of cocaine (street value over $500K), his 38-foot vessel, $8,000 cash, and a .40-caliber handgun.
Picariello ran Outlaw Sport Fishing with his son, Todd, since the 1970s; he faces state charges and federal prosecution.
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay hailed the multi-agency sting as vital to shielding communities from dangerous drugs.
Florida Keys are plagued by frequent cocaine washes from Caribbean smugglers, underscoring the need for stronger maritime enforcement.

Undercover Sting Leads to Arrest

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations detectives purchased 1 kilogram of cocaine from Bradford Todd Picariello aboard his vessel in Marathon, Florida.

Picariello claimed the drugs washed ashore from the sea, a common tactic by Caribbean smugglers dumping bales to evade detection. Deputies arrested the 65-year-old captain immediately after the $10,000 transaction.

Search warrants followed, uncovering the full scope of his activities. This operation highlights persistent vulnerabilities in Keys waters despite national efforts to secure borders.

Florida Keys charter boat captain allegedly sold kilos of cocaine he found at sea https://t.co/UpeU4tqOwG pic.twitter.com/7gEYkoWOlo

— New York Post (@nypost) January 21, 2026

Major Seizures and Family Business Impact

Investigators seized 23 kilograms of cocaine total, marked with “332” labels, along with Picariello’s 38-foot charter boat, $8,000 in U.S. currency, and a loaded .40-caliber handgun. Picariello owns Outlaw Sport Fishing, a longstanding family operation since the 1970s involving his son, Todd, a licensed master captain.

The vessel forfeiture threatens the business’s survival and erodes trust in the legitimate charter fishing community. Residents welcome the removal of these drugs, which could have flooded local streets, aligning with conservative priorities for law and order.

Sheriff Ramsay’s Law Enforcement Victory

Sheriff Rick Ramsay oversaw the probe with federal partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, DEA, and CBP Air and Marine units via HIDTA.

Ramsay stated, “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.”

MCSO spokesman Adam Linhardt confirmed the seizures and Picariello’s booking into the county jail. The case heads to federal prosecution, signaling strong inter-agency resolve against opportunist traffickers.

Picariello faces charges of trafficking, selling, and possessing cocaine. His actions exploited smuggling byproducts, turning a reputable captaincy into a criminal enterprise.

This incident strains ties in the tight-knit Keys boating world, where honest operators now face heightened scrutiny. Federal review continues, with potential arrests looming for associates.

Persistent Drug Threat in Florida Keys

The Florida Keys remain a prime entry for cocaine from speedboats, narco-subs, and ocean dumps due to Caribbean proximity. Precedents abound: boaters found 65 pounds in June 2024; divers recovered 55 pounds off Key West in May 2024; Hurricane Debby washed over $1 million ashore in August 2024.

Fishermen and beachgoers repeatedly discover bales, tempting locals into crime. Short-term, this bust disrupts distribution; long-term, it deters sea-recovery schemes and bolsters maritime patrols essential for community safety.

Under President Trump, enhanced border security combats such threats, yet local opportunists like Picariello remind us that vigilance is key. Marathon families gain safer streets from 23 kg off the market.

The charter industry suffers a reputational blow, prompting calls for rigorous vessel checks. Sheriff Ramsay’s stance strengthens political support for tough anti-drug measures, protecting traditional American values of hard work over criminal shortcuts.