Drugged-up FISH that contain traces of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine found in UK rivers

BRITISH fish contain traces of cocaine, ketamine, pesticides and pharmaceutical drugs.

Scientists conducting an experiment in UK rivers were shocked to find every single sample of freshwater shrimp had traces of illegal party drugs.

All of the shrimp tested during the experiment contained small amounts of cocaine but some also had ketamine and other drugs inside them.

Scientists from Kings College London and the University of Suffolk collected the samples from the British countryside in the rivers Deven, Alde, Stour, Waveney and Gipping.

Dr Leon Barron from King’s College London observed: “Such regular occurrence of illicit drugs in wildlife was surprising. We might expect to see these in urban areas such as London, but not in smaller and more rural catchments.

“The presence of pesticides which have long been banned in the UK also poses a particular challenge as the sources of these remain unclear.”

Lidocaine, a drug which is commonly used in dentistry, was also found in a lot of the shrimp and the scientists think this is because it is often used to dilute cocaine.

It can produce numbness in gums which tricks users into thinking they are experiencing the effects of cocaine.

Lead author Dr Thomas Miller said: “Although concentrations were low, we were able to identify compounds that might be of concern to the environment and crucially, which might pose a risk to wildlife.

“As part of our ongoing work, we found that the most frequently detected compounds were illicit drugs, including cocaine and ketamine and a banned pesticide, fenuron.”

Ecstasy was also found as well as crystal meth and a drug used in asthma inhalers.

Cocaine was found in the largest quantities though but the source of this contamination remains unclear.

The researchers theorised that because wastewater plants can remove up to 90% of cocaine, it was unlikely that the large quantities were coming from sewage alone.

Professor Nic Bury from the University of Suffolk said: “Whether the presence of cocaine in aquatic animals is an issue for Suffolk, or more widespread an occurrence in the UK and abroad, awaits further research.

“Environmental health has attracted much attention from the public due to challenges associated with climate change and microplastic pollution.

“However, the impact of ‘invisible’ chemical pollution (such as drugs) on wildlife health needs more focus in the UK as policy can often be informed by studies such as these.”

This research has been published in Environment International.

In other animal news, the UN has found that humans are putting one million species at risk of extinction.

‘Crazed’ cannibal seals are killing pups by biting down on their throats and drowning them, according to new research.

And, hear the British birdsongs that ‘could soon be lost’ as RSPB warns 1 in 5 avians have vanished from UK skies.

Are you surprised about the amount of drugs in British rivers? Let us know in the comments…

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