The increasing appearance of "pink cocaine" in nightclubs and seizures in the United States has alarmed officials because it rarely contains real cocaine, and no two batches are identical.
The emergence of the dangerous drug "pink cocaine" is causing concern in the United States.
This powder, part of a new wave of compound drugs, is a dangerous mixture of drugs that usually includes ketamine and ecstasy, and is sometimes mixed with methamphetamine or fentanyl. This extreme variance greatly increases the risk of overdose. The drug is sold online in custom-made bags and is regularly referenced on social media by enthusiasts and musicians.
Trump: We will begin by striking land-based sites linked to drug cartels in Mexico.
Authorities from Los Angeles to Miami have reported seizures or issued strong warnings in recent months regarding what is known as pink cocaine or "Tosy." In 2025, New York investigators seized quantities of it along with dozens of guns in trafficking cases.
In April, U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi announced a raid on a "secret nightclub" in Colorado where undocumented immigrants were arrested and drugs were seized. A series of cases at the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office documents multiple deaths between September 2020 and July 2024 involving "Tossi."
There is no standard formula for the drug; it is an unstable mixture of stimulants, depressants, and opioids mixed locally with dyes. Laboratory analysis often reveals ketamine and ecstasy, but samples have also contained methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. Reported effects range from euphoria and increased energy to altered perception, hallucinations, and dissociative effects, with the potential to cause anxiety and paranoia.
According to Axios, the drug originated in Colombia in the late 2000s as a club drug, initially mimicking the hallucinogenic drug 2C-B. It then spread northward and into Europe, where dealers mix it locally from readily available materials. Professor Joseph J. Palamar of New York University says, "Tussi isn't just being smuggled as a drug. It's an imported idea," noting that the pink dye makes it "Instagrammable" and contributes to its popularity.
Caitlin Brown of the Poison Centers of America warns that users of "Tussi" may believe they are taking mild hallucinogens, when in fact they are consuming dangerous concoctions that affect the heart, brain, and respiratory system. She emphasizes that there is "no antidote" for this mixture, and treatment focuses on supporting vital functions until the drug's effects wear off.
It is estimated that 2.7% of New York City's electronic dance music scene patrons used the drug in 2024. Poison control centers have recorded 18 cases of exposure across four states since January 2024, most of which required medical treatment. The drug has also been linked to deaths, including that of former singer Liam Payne. It appears to be spreading to rural areas, with officials in Louisiana warning of its connection to fatal overdoses.
