Sharks Test Positive for Cocaine

BRAZIL — Sharks off the coast of Brazil have tested positive for cocaine, according to a new scientific study by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.

Thirteen Brazilian sharp-nosed sharks were examined, all of which tested positive for cocaine, with 12 also showing traces of benzoylecgonine, the primary metabolite of cocaine.

The findings, published in the journal ScienceDirect, mark the first documentation of cocaine in free-ranging sharks. Researchers highlighted the potential impacts of illicit drugs in marine environments, though they noted that studies on wild fish are limited.

The highest concentrations of cocaine were detected in the sharks’ muscle tissue, with some presence in their livers. Concentrations in the liver were found to be up to 100 times higher than those in other marine animals.

Researchers believe the sharks are ingesting cocaine from illegal drug labs in the area. The study did not determine how the drug might affect the sharks or the fetuses of pregnant females who tested positive. The findings back up the potential environmental impact of illicit drug activities, raising concerns about the health of marine life in affected areas.