A Marathon charter captain is facing federal charges after he allegedly sold one of more than 20 kilos of cocaine to an undercover cop, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office announced on Jan. 20.
Working with detectives from the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program as well as Customs and Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations Agents, the Sheriff’s Office contacted 65-year-old captain Bradford Picariello after receiving a tip that he was in possession of around 20 “kilos” of cocaine.
An undercover agent met with Picariello on Jan. 19 at Burdines Marina, where his 38-foot charter boat “Outlaw” is docked, and bought one kilo for $10,000 cash, later arresting Picariello after the sale, MCSO’s report states.
After receiving consent to search another property, detectives seized another 19.5 kilos. They later seized Picariello’s boat, finding 3.7 ounces of cocaine, $8,000 cash and a .40 caliber handgun aboard. He was arrested, charged with the possession, trafficking and sale of cocaine, and taken to the Stock Island jail on a $65,000 bond.
The case is expected to be prosecuted federally, MCSO 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,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement.
