Cocaine Sharks: Brazilian Predators Test Positive for Drug

- Marine biologists have discovered cocaine in sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, marking a first in free-ranging predators.
- Thirteen sharpnose sharks tested positive for high levels of cocaine and benzoylecgonine, with female sharks showing higher concentrations.
- The study, dubbed 'Cocaine Shark,' suggests a possible link between a shark's weight and size and its ability to metabolize cocaine, though more research is needed.
- Experts propose multiple theories for the drug's presence in the water, including illegal labs, drug user excrement, and lost or dumped cocaine packs.
- The impact of cocaine on sharks, including pregnant females, remains unclear, but the findings are considered significant and concerning by marine eco-toxicologists.

Source: CBS News