What is pink cocaine? The drug found in Liam Payne’s body at time of death, autopsy reveals

A toxicology report following the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne revealed that he had multiple substances in his system, including a dangerous drug known as "pink cocaine."

Payne, 31, died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16, 2024. According to ABC News, the toxic cocktail in Payne's bloodstream also included benzodiazepine, crack cocaine, and "pink cocaine."

Pink cocaine, also known as "tusi," is a designer drug that has gained popularity in the United States after first emerging in Latin America and Europe. Despite its name, pink cocaine is rarely made with actual cocaine. Instead, it is a mix of illegal substances, including ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamine, and opioids, among other psychoactive substances. It is typically dyed pink with food coloring, giving the drug its distinctive appearance.

Bridget Brennan, New York City’s special narcotics prosecutor, has warned that pink cocaine is particularly dangerous, stating, “This substance has been linked to amnesia and has been found in date rape cases." Its unpredictable composition and limited research make it difficult for authorities to fully understand its long-term effects.

Federal authorities have issued warnings about pink cocaine as its use spreads across the U.S. This drug’s complexity and varying formulations have made it a growing concern for law enforcement.