Cocaine-Loaded Sharks Discovered in Caribbean Waters, Scientists Sound the Alarm

Researchers studying marine life in the Caribbean have identified traces of drugs, including cocaine, caffeine, and common painkillers, in sharks living near the Bahamas, raising new concerns about pollution tied to tourism and coastal development, as reported by The New York Post.

The findings come from a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution, where Brazilian scientists examined sharks in waters around Eleuthera, a relatively remote island in the Bahamas.

The research focused on testing blood samples from 85 sharks for both legal and illegal substances.

#Cocaine-fueled sharks are on the prowl in the #Caribbean — scientists blame partying tourists.https://t.co/52CTfmvblj

— Rattakat7 (@TigerSharkLover) March 26, 2026

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According to the study, 28 of the sharks — spanning three different species — tested positive for at least one drug.

The most frequently detected substance was caffeine, followed by acetaminophen and diclofenac, the active ingredients in widely used medications such as Tylenol and Voltaren. Two of the sharks tested positive for cocaine.

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Researchers believe the presence of cocaine may be linked to sharks consuming drug packets that entered the ocean. Study author Natascha Wosnick of the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil explained how the exposure may occur.

“They bite things to investigate and end up exposed,” Wosnick told Science News.

The study marks the first time cocaine has been detected in sharks in the Bahamas.

While previous research identified traces of cocaine in sharks off the coast of Brazil, this is also the first known instance of caffeine being found in sharks anywhere in the world.

Cocaine-affected sharks are reportedly roaming the Caribbean, with scientists pointing to drug pollution from partying tourists—while social media users are already comparing it to Cocaine Bear. pic.twitter.com/zaWHlYymvu

— ZEEZ (@Swaggzeez1) March 26, 2026

Scientists pointed to environmental contamination as the likely source.

The sharks tested in the study were collected from areas commonly visited by tourists and divers, suggesting exposure to wastewater linked to boats and coastal infrastructure.

Researchers noted that increased tourism and urban development contribute to the introduction of pharmaceuticals and illicit substances into marine ecosystems.

“Pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are increasingly recognized as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in marine environments, particularly in areas undergoing rapid urbanization and tourism-driven development,” the researchers wrote in the study.

While the long-term effects on sharks remain unclear, scientists observed changes in metabolic markers among contaminated animals.

These changes suggest the sharks may be experiencing stress and increased energy use as their bodies attempt to process the substances.

Tracy Fanara, a Florida-based oceanographer who was not involved in the study, said the findings highlight broader environmental concerns. Fanara noted that the exposure indicates a connection between human activity and marine ecosystems.

Fanara also previously contributed to the documentary “Cocaine Sharks,” which explored how sharks could be exposed to narcotics in waters where drug trafficking routes operate.

Researchers emphasized that the discovery is particularly notable given the remote location of Eleuthera.

Despite its distance from major urban centers, the findings suggest pollutants are still reaching these waters.

“We’re talking about a very remote island in the Bahamas,” Wosnick said.

The study adds to growing evidence that contaminants from human activity, including tourism and infrastructure, are making their way into marine environments.

Scientists said the results serve as a reminder of how interconnected coastal development and ocean ecosystems have become.

Fanara said the findings show that “coastal infrastructure, tourism, and marine food webs are tightly connected.”

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