When Bradford Picariello discovered two dozen kilogram “bricks” of cocaine floating in the Atlantic Ocean, he thought he had found the mother lode. What the 65-year-old charter boat captain actually found that day was a fast track to federal prison.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in the Florida Keys reports it was investigating the illegal cocaine trade. The agency worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration, among other police agencies. Investigators learned Picariello had cocaine to sell.

Sheriff’s Office Special Operations detectives went undercover and contacted Picariello. The captain agreed to sell them a brick of cocaine for $10,000, well below market value. He also offered up to 100 pounds, or about 45 kilograms.

Picariello told the buyers to meet him at a marina in Marathon, Florida. He instructed them to bring a cooler to transport the drugs discreetly.

Undercover deal ends at the marina

“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 Sheriff Rick Ramsay.

Officers arrived at the marina and immediately arrested Picariello. He gave investigators permission to search his storage locker. Deputies found 23 kilograms of cocaine inside.

Authorities seized Picariello’s 38-foot charter boat, a .40-caliber handgun, and $8,000 in cash. Picariello remains in jail, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office expects federal prosecutors to handle the case.