Cocaine traces found in drinking water of several Colombian cities

A report titled “Invisible Contamination: Cocaine and chemical inputs associated with its production in Colombia's drinking water” has identified traces of cocaine and industrial solvents in the water supplies of several Colombian cities.

Produced by the Center for a Secure Free Society (SFS) with laboratory analysis from Universidad de La Sabana, the study sampled water between December 2025 and January 2026. Researchers found cocaine residues in tap water—even after treatment—in Bogotá, Cartagena, Popayán, and Quibdó. In Cali, traces were detected in raw water sources prior to the purification process.

In addition to cocaine metabolites, the study documented the presence of chemical precursors and solvents used in drug processing, including acetone, methanol, ammonia, diesel, and gasoline. While these findings suggest that chemical pollution from processing zones can travel through river basins into urban water systems, experts note that some solvents, such as gasoline and methanol, can also originate from conventional industrial or urban runoff. From a toxicological perspective, the detection of trace amounts does not automatically constitute an immediate health emergency or a confirmed risk to human health.