A Florida charter boat captain was taken into custody after investigators say he tried to sell large quantities of cocaine he claimed to have found floating at sea.
Monroe County sheriff’s deputies arrested 65-year-old Bradford Todd Picariello on Monday after an alleged cocaine transaction at Outlaw Fishing Charters, a business he owns and operates in Marathon, authorities said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Picariello faces charges of trafficking cocaine, selling cocaine, and possession of cocaine following the operation in the Florida Keys.
Investigators allege Picariello arranged the deal directly with undercover deputies, setting up the exchange for around 3 p.m. at the marina where his charter boat was docked.
Ahead of the meeting, Picariello allegedly spoke with an undercover agent by phone and advised him to bring a cooler so the encounter would resemble a routine fishing pickup.
Authorities said the captain instructed the agent to act as if he were collecting fish rather than narcotics in order to avoid suspicion at the marina.
During the conversation, Picariello allegedly claimed he had access to an additional 100 pounds of cocaine if the buyer wanted to purchase more than the initial amount.
When the undercover agent arrived at the vessel, investigators said Picariello handed over a kilogram of cocaine and directed the agent to place it inside the cooler.
Deputies said Picariello waited on the boat expecting to receive $10,000 in cash to complete the transaction.
Before any money changed hands, law enforcement officers moved in and arrested Picariello on the spot.
Following the arrest, authorities said Picariello cooperated and disclosed that more cocaine was stored inside a nearby storage unit.
Deputies conducted a search of the unit and reported finding nearly two dozen additional kilograms of cocaine wrapped in plastic.
The packages were marked with a visible “332” stamp, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the arrest operation, authorities also seized approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine, a .40-caliber handgun, about $8,000 in cash, and a 38-foot vessel connected to the charter business.
Picariello was transported to a local jail following his arrest. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office indicated the case is expected to be prosecuted at the federal level.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay credited investigators and partner agencies for removing what he described as dangerous drugs from the community.
The arrest unfolded as part of a broader pattern of recent Florida cases involving unexpected and volatile encounters with weapons and threats.
In Marion County, surveillance video shows a handcuffed woman taking out a concealed firearm and opening fire inside a sheriff’s vehicle that was in motion, following a traffic stop.
The incident occurred last June after deputies arrested Rheanna Harden, then 22, on allegations that included driving with a suspended license, providing false identification, and drug possession.
Even after multiple searches during the arrest, deputies failed to locate a small revolver hidden inside Harden’s clothing, according to investigators.
Video recorded inside the patrol vehicle shows Harden shifting in the back seat and reaching into her pants while handcuffed behind her back.
Authorities said Harden managed to retrieve the firearm while the deputy was driving the cruiser.
Deputies reported that Harden fired multiple rounds inside the vehicle, causing the patrol car to veer off course and crash into a utility pole.
After the crash, the deputy got out of the cruiser and returned fire, authorities said.
Both Harden and the deputy were injured during the exchange and transported to a hospital before being released.
Investigators said Harden was able to partially slip one hand out of her handcuffs during the incident, despite being restrained multiple times.
Authorities determined the shooting was carried out with a small revolver.
Court records indicate Harden later told investigators she became angry about how she was treated while being transported to jail.
Deputies said Harden fired six rounds during the incident.
Following the shooting, prosecutors added charges including attempted second-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Harden was denied bond and remains in custody ahead of her next scheduled court appearance on Jan. 29.
Another alarming Florida case unfolded late last year when officers responded to a vehicle crash at a grocery store and encountered a man claiming he had a “dirty bomb.”
Haines City police said officers were dispatched to a Publix parking lot in Davenport after reports of a crash involving a pickup truck.
Police identified the driver as 43-year-old Benjamin Donald Johnson.
Officers said Johnson initially refused to comply and had to be physically removed from the vehicle.
Once Johnson was detained, officers observed multiple firearms inside the truck in plain view.
While seated in the back of a patrol car, Johnson allegedly told officers there was a “dirty bomb” inside his Chevrolet Silverado.
Police said the statement triggered an immediate lockdown of the area and a large-scale emergency response.
Officers located a yellow plastic container secured with chains and locks and bearing a radioactive warning label.
Authorities cleared the area, shut down nearby roadways, and requested assistance from fire, explosives, and federal agencies.
A state fire investigator confirmed the container was emitting positive radioactivity, according to police.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and an FBI bomb technician joined the investigation.
Investigators later determined the device inside the container was a moisture density gauge commonly used for soil testing.
Police said the device contained less radioactivity than a medical X-ray.
The container was transported to the police department for further inspection by the Florida Bureau of Radioactive Material.
A subsequent search of Johnson’s truck uncovered numerous firearms, ammunition, magazine speed loaders, thermal scopes, knives, a battering ram, night vision goggles, cannabis, and THC-infused gummies.
Johnson told investigators he had been living out of his pickup truck with his dog while working in the area. The dog was turned over to local animal control.
Jail records show Johnson was arrested on charges including hoax weapon of mass destruction, false report concerning a bomb, resisting an officer without violence, unlawful possession of cannabis resin, driving under the influence, and use of a firearm while impaired.
Police noted Johnson had a prior arrest history involving marijuana possession in Tennessee.
