Cocaine and caffeine detected in shark in the Bahamas, study shows

U.S. newsCocaine and caffeine detected in shark in The Bahamas, study showsAccording to ScienceDirect, substances like cocaine and painkillers, also known as contaminants of emerging concern, are being recognized in marine environments, especially in tourism-driven areas. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00A Tiger shark, one of five species captured for the study, at Tiger Beach, BahamasAndre Seale / VW Pics / Universal Images Group via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 5, 2026, 12:26 PM EDTBy NBC South FloridaA new study is revealing that sharks in The Bahamas have tested positive for cocaine, caffeine and other substances.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.According to ScienceDirect, substances like cocaine and painkillers, also known as contaminants of emerging concern, are being recognized in marine environments, especially in tourism-driven areas.In their study, 82 sharks were analyzed, and 23 of them were detected to have four CECs: acetaminophen, diclofenac, cocaine, and caffeine.Five species of sharks were captured for the study, including Lemon, Atlantic Nurse, Blacktip, Caribbean Reef and Tiger sharks.While this isn’t the first time cocaine was detected in sharks; in 2024, more than 10 sharks in waters off the coast of Brazil tested positive for cocaine, this was the “first report of caffeine and acetaminophen detected in any shark species worldwide, and the first report of diclofenac and cocaine in sharks from The Bahamas, an environment commonly described as pristine,” the study said.The study also showed that sharks that had CEC’s “showed altered triglycerides, urea, and lactate levels,” compared to sharks that didn’t have it.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleNBC South FloridaThe staff of NBC South Florida.