Brazilian sharks tested positive for cocaine. Illustrative photo: AFP/Archives
A recent study conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation has highlighted the presence of cocaine in sharks in Brazilian waters. This research, reported by SkyNews, focused on the analysis of thirteen sharpnose sharks purchased from fishermen.
The results show that all specimens examined showed traces of cocaine. Some concentrations were up to a hundred times higher than those observed in other sea creatures in previous studies.
Researchers believe the contamination could be due to drugs being dumped into the water by smuggling networks. Large quantities of drugs have recently been discovered in Florida, Central America and South America.
According to SkyNews, this is the first study to reveal the presence of cocaine in sharks in the wild. The study also found that the substance was more prevalent in the sharks’ muscle tissue than in their livers.
However, it should be noted that the study has limitations due to the small sample size. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the impact of cocaine on the entire marine fauna, the researchers said, quoted by the media.
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