Florida Man Charged For Cocaine, Guns Aboard 80-Foot Yacht In Nantucket

NANTUCKET, MA — A retired doctor from Florida faces numerous charges after his 80-foot yacht was searched in the Nantucket Harbor, leading to the seizure of guns, drugs and ammunition.

Scott Burke, 69, of Key Largo, was arraigned today on charges of trafficking cocaine, possession to distribute a class A drug, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possessing ammunition without an FID card and two charges of possessing a large-capacity firearm.

This comes after police were notified on Tuesday that a woman was in need of medical assistance aboard an 80-foot yacht that was anchored in Nantucket Harbor at 7:47 a.m., the department in Nantucket said. She was transported to Nantucket Cottage Hospital, police said.

Later, the Nantucket Police Department, Bourne Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and members of the United States Coast Guard conducted a search of the yacht.

During that search officials found cocaine, ketamine, firearms and ammunition located on the yacht. It was also found that Burke — who owns the boat — didn't possess a firearm license.

The District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to hold Burke as a danger to the community, but a judge denied that motion, instead opting for a cash bail of $200,000.

Burke is due back in court for a probable cause hearing on Oct. 2 in the Nantucket District Court.