The glamorous shipboard life suddenly soured for retired Key Largo doctor Scott Anthony Burke, 69, who was arrested in Nantucket Harbor aboard his 80-foot yacht, the Jess Conn. In a scene reminiscent of Season 2 of The White Lotus, authorities received a call about a woman on the ship who was in distress, possibly had overdosed, and wanted to leave.
Burke was apprehended after Nantucket Police and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided the luxury vessel. Onboard were more than 43 grams of cocaine, roughly 14 grams of ketamine, two handguns (a .380 Smith & Wesson Shield and a 9mm Smith & Wesson), and various ammunition in the main floor stateroom, according to a police report. One loaded handgun sat on a shelf.
The woman, who said she didn’t feel safe, was taken to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Burke was arraigned in Nantucket District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges and was ordered held on $200,000 bail.
The Jess Conn is a Nordhavn yacht built in 2021. Nordhavn is known for its expedition trawler yachts.
Look for the brand at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show October 25-29.
Photo courtesy of Kit Noble, Nantucket Current
