Drug smugglers using open waterways to move products may be affecting the health of sea life in the Gulf of Mexico

The effects of the opioid epidemic may not be limited to humans, with dolphins found to have fentanyl in their systems. A large proportion of bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico were found to have human pharmaceuticals in their bodies,

For there to be drugs in a dolphin means that the drugs are either in the water, or they’re in the prey that they’re consuming,” a researcher told a Texas news outlet.

Scientists have detected fentanyl and other drugs in dozens of dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico, which could have large implications on the overall health of the oceans, they say. The research began in September 2020,

A Texas A&M University research project has found traces of fentanyl in dead dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico. But researchers fear the dolphins that are affected by the deadly drug just may be scratching the surface.

Researchers have detected fentanyl — as well as other drugs — in bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico. This discovery was actually accidental, and was initially revealed during a routine boating survey in 2020.

A sedative called meprobamate and muscle relaxant carisoprodol, as well as cocaine and the strong painkiller called fentanyl were found in dolphins when tested by experts

Researchers have detected the presence of human pharmaceuticals, including fentanyl, in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a recent study. The post Researchers Find Fentanyl in Dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico first appeared on The Inertia.