Sharks Are Testing Positive For Cocaine And Caffeine in The Bahamas

Researchers analyzed blood from 85 sharks around Eleuthera, Bahamas; 28 individuals had drugs detected.

Caffeine traces were the most commonly detected substance, and this is the first time caffeine has been found in sharks anywhere.

Cocaine was detected in some sharks; this is the first report of cocaine in sharks in the Bahamas.

Two sharks tested positive for the painkillers acetaminophen and diclofenac.

The study (Wosnick et al., Environ. Pollut., 2026) notes pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs are contaminants of emerging concern and links findings to untreated boat wastewater and increased wastewater from urban development and tourism.