Scientists stumped as to why shrimp is testing positive for cocaine

Scientists are stumped after discovering traces of cocaine in nearly every shrimp tested in certain regions of the U.K. recently.The Environmental International study showed that samples of shrimp collected in July 2018 from 15 sites across five river catchments in the Suffolk area, including Gipping, Alde, Deben, Stour and Waveney contained the drug, along with illegal pesticides. Cocaine happened to be the most common drug discovered in the shrimp followed by anesthetic lidocaine, which is often used by dealers to bulk up cocaine, according to the study. Scientists believe the drugs were introduced to the shrimp after a possible leakage or overflow of water into the sewer. Substances discovered in the shrimp were fenuron, ketamine, which is an animal tranquilizer and party drug. The pesticides that were discovered are banned in the U.K.Newsweek reported that Dr. Leon Barron, senior lecturer in forensic science at King’s College London and co-author of the study said, “Such regular occurrence of illicit drugs in wildlife was surprising.” The scientists said they wouldn’t have been as surprised if the shrimp were found in areas closer to London, but they were shocked to find the traces were discovered in more rural areas. Locating the direct source of the pesticides that were found is proving difficult for scientists at the moment, worrying some who believe it could pose an environmental issue. According to Newsweek, this isn’t the first time wildlife tested positive for illegal drugs. A study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found oxycodone in shellfish off the coast for the first time.

Scientists are stumped after discovering traces of cocaine in nearly every shrimp tested in certain regions of the U.K. recently.

The Environmental International study showed that samples of shrimp collected in July 2018 from 15 sites across five river catchments in the Suffolk area, including Gipping, Alde, Deben, Stour and Waveney contained the drug, along with illegal pesticides.


Cocaine happened to be the most common drug discovered in the shrimp followed by anesthetic lidocaine, which is often used by dealers to bulk up cocaine, according to the study.

Scientists believe the drugs were introduced to the shrimp after a possible leakage or overflow of water into the sewer. Substances discovered in the shrimp were fenuron, ketamine, which is an animal tranquilizer and party drug.

The pesticides that were discovered are banned in the U.K.

Newsweek reported that Dr. Leon Barron, senior lecturer in forensic science at King’s College London and co-author of the study said, “Such regular occurrence of illicit drugs in wildlife was surprising.”

The scientists said they wouldn’t have been as surprised if the shrimp were found in areas closer to London, but they were shocked to find the traces were discovered in more rural areas.

Locating the direct source of the pesticides that were found is proving difficult for scientists at the moment, worrying some who believe it could pose an environmental issue.

According to Newsweek, this isn’t the first time wildlife tested positive for illegal drugs. A study conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found oxycodone in shellfish off the coast for the first time.