Thirteen Brazilian Sharks Test Positive for Cocaine, Researchers Say

More than a dozen sharks in Brazil have tested positive for cocaine — elevating concerns that the open waters in the area are being contaminated with drugs and affecting wildlife.

A handful of research groups recently published findings after collecting 13 sharpnose sharks from fishermen off the coast of Rio de Janeiro … and after they cut ’em open and pulled out the insides, reports say their livers and muscle tissue were found to be laced with coke.

We’re not just talking about a little white powder here — according to these researchers, the concentration in their system was incredibly high … as much as 100 times more than previously recorded data in other marine life.

While there’s been no confirmation on where the cocaine came from … people certainly have their ideas, including illegal drug labs in the area — or just drug smugglers who lost some of their load to the high seas while trying to ship cocaine across the ocean.

In any case … it’s clear that these sharks were able to chomp on some nose candy that made its way into the water — but it’s unclear how it may have affected their behavior.

Scientists say they suspect these little sharks were likely extra aggressive while they were still breathing (through their gills) … and they may have been raging chomping on fishies. It might sound humorous … but experts say this is a troubling sign for the ecosystem.