A discovery misleads the experts: they find cocaine in freshwater shrimps in England

Researchers on Wednesday discovered cocaine and ketamine in shrimp samples tested in a rural area in southeastern England.

The scientists at London King's College, together with colleagues from the University of Suffolk, made this "surprise" discovery after taking samples from 15 sites.

"If the presence of cocaine in aquatic animals poses a problem in Suffolk, or more widely in the UK or abroad, we must continue to investigate," said Nic Bury, of the University of Suffolk.

The study, published in International environment, badyzed the levels of several "microcontaminants"in freshwater shrimps.

"Cocaine was found in all badyzed samples and other illicit drugs, such as ketamine, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, were also detected in the shrimp collected.", according to the study.

The lead author of the same text, Thomas Miller, of King's College, said that "concentrations are low," but that these compounds "could pose a risk to wildlife".

His colleague Léon Barron found surprising the presence of illicit drugs in wildlife.

"We might expect to see them in urban areas like London, but not in smaller rural areas"he added.

(With information from AFP)