Florida Anglers Find Cocaine Bricks Allegedly Dropped by Smugglers

Fishermen in the Florida Keys report pulling up “square groupers,” tightly sealed packages allegedly containing cocaine or marijuana, sometimes drifting ashore rather than being caught. Authorities say some residents have taken the risk despite potential long prison terms. In August, three men from Marathon—John Robert Strama Jr., Pedro Luis Lugo Jr., and Elvis Lazaro Ruiz—received sentences of up to 10 years for roles in a cocaine distribution network operating across the Keys. Prosecutors said Strama recovered cocaine bricks by retrieving square groupers found at sea. A charter boat captain, Bradford Picariello, was arrested in January; he pleaded not guilty in September and could face 10 years to life if convicted.