NATIONAL, (WDNews) – A study from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil found 13 wild Brazilian sharpnose sharks tested positive for cocaine with a concentration as much as 100 times higher than previously reported for other aquatic creatures.
Many scientists believe this is due to drugs being dumped into the ocean by smugglers, with tons of cocaine found around Florida, and South and Central America.
The scientists dissected 13 wild Brazilian sharpnose sharks that had been caught by fishermen.
The shark’s muscle and liver tissue were tested for cocaine and benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in the drug.
All 13 sharks tested positive for cocaine with a concentration as much as 100 times higher than previously reported for other aquatic creatures according to the scientists.
