Cocaine-soaked sharks rob smugglers off Brazil coast
Sharks under the influence of drugs swim off the coast of Brazil and attack smugglers.
This was reported by scientists who examined 13 sharp-nosed sharks caught near Rio de Janeiro.
Biologists have discovered traces of cocaine in the tissues of marine predators, writes the Daily Mail .
Scientists noted that the concentration of these substances is 100 times higher than that of other aquatic inhabitants that had also been previously studied.
Experts concluded that the sharks were under the "chronic influence" of cocaine.
There are several theories as to why this happened. Biologists have suggested that the drugs got into the water through the drainage systems of laboratories producing illegal substances.
Scientists also suggested that the predators could have consumed drugs that smugglers dumped into the ocean. But this theory is less likely than the drainage system version.
Researchers note that cocaine does not make predators "go crazy", but it does harm their health. For example, it impairs vision. Also, under the influence of drugs, sharks' hunting skills deteriorate.
Drug use is harmful to health.
