Everything you need to know about pink cocaine

The drug was reportedly in Liam Payne's system when he died

Designer drug pink cocaine has been in the news recently after it was reportedly found in One Direction star Liam Payne’s system following his death, and linked to rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in a complaint filed against him. But what is the drug, and what risks does it pose to its users?

Following his fatal fall from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last week, ABC News reported tests conducted on the 31-year-old One Direction member Liam Payne found several substances in his system, including ‘pink cocaine’. 

Police are still trying to reconstruct the singer’s final hours in the lead-up to his death, and two staff members from the CasaSur hotel Payne was staying in have been questioned by police after allegations they supplied him with drugs hidden inside of a soap box.

An aluminium pipe presumed to be used for the consumption of the drugs was also located in the ex-One Direction member’s trashed hotel room. 

Sean 'Diddy' Comb and Pink Cocaine

Days after the star’s death, People reported that disgraced rapper and music producer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs also has links to pink cocaine, also known as ‘tuci’.

The music mogul is being investigated after at least two dozen people accused him of sexual abuse. He has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Now, a complaint filed against the 54-year-old in February by producer and videographer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones alleges Diddy made his employees carry pink cocaine and other drugs with them.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Image: Getty

Jones said “all employees, from the butler to the chef to the housekeepers,” were required to “walk around with a pouch or fanny pack filled with cocaine, GHB, ecstasy, marijuana gummies … and Tuci …”, per People.

Prosecutors claim Diddy regularly held ‘freak offs’ which were organised sex performances involving heavy drug use and sex workers who had been coerced or forced to take part. 

Lil Rod also alleges Diddy drugged him.

The complaintant said Diddy's employees were required to carry pink cocaine. Image: Getty.

What is pink cocaine?

So, what actually is pink cocaine? Ironically, pink cocaine doesn’t actually contain any cocaine.

Originating in Colombia in the 2010s, the drug is a cocktail of substances, usually including MDMA, ketamine and caffeine. Other drugs such as benzodiazepine, methamphetamines and caffeine have also been found to be added.

Pink cocaine doesn’t actually contain any cocaine. Image: Getty.

Effects of pink cocaine

It’s marketed by dealers as a luxury party drug because of its dyed bright pink colour and is usually snorted as a powder or taken as a pill.

People using pink cocaine expect to experience an increase in alertness, euphoria and enhanced sensory perception because of the mix of depressant and stimulant drugs, but UK Addiction and Treatment Centres reports it also has ‘hallucinogenic properties’.

Its popularity has spread from South America through the US and Europe.

Pink cocaine use has spread from South America through the US and Europe. Image: The Loop.

The risks of pink cocaine

Because pink cocaine is a cocktail of various substances, the effect on users is uncertain.

Special narcotics prosecutor for New York Bridget Brennan told NBC news its base of stimulant and depressant drugs is dangerous. 

“If you have a drug that’s telling your heart to speed up and another drug that’s telling your heart to slow down, that’s a problem”, she says.

According to poison control, adverse effects of pink cocaine include ‘hallucinations, anxiety, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, low sodium levels, nausea and vomiting, and rarely, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and coma.’

A hotel receptionist said Liam Payne was in and out of consciousness and destructive. Image: Getty

Liam Payne and pink cocaine

It has been reported that a receptionist at the CasaSur hotel Liam Payne was staying at called emergency services saying he was in and out of consciousness and destructive. 

According to a transcript of the call, they said “we have a guest who is overindulged in drugs and alcohol and ... well, when he is conscious he breaks, he is breaking the whole room. Well, we need you to send someone, please”.

The caller also noted that staff were afraid the singer “might do something life-threatening”.

Argentina’s Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement the former One Direction member "could have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness."

If you think someone is overdosing from pink cocaine, call 000.

In an emergency call 000. If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the 24-hour Suicide Call Back Service at 1300 659 467.  

Mental health professionals are available 24/7 at the beyondblue Support Service –  1300 22 46 36 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3pm-12am AEST) or email response. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Sexual Assault,  Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 RESPECT for 24/7  support.  

Originally published as Everything you need to know about pink cocaine