The designer drug, known as ‘pink cocaine’, that One Direction star Liam Payne took before his death is a potentially lethal mix of chemicals

In a tragic turn of events in Buenos Aires, it’s suspected that Liam Payne had consumed ‘pink cocaine’—a drug with a rather deceptive name that conceals its potent mix of ingredients.

The former One Direction star tragically passed away last Wednesday after plummeting from the balcony of his hotel suite, leading to “internal and external hemorrhage” due to multiple traumas.

Before the fatal incident, 31-year-old Payne had reportedly exhibited erratic behavior and required assistance to return to his room.

Subsequent reports allege that traces of the notorious Class A substance were found in his system amidst concerns about the growing allure of the vibrantly hued drug, which originated back in the 1970s.

The powder made a resurgence around 2010 in Colombia, gaining traction across Latin America and eventually making its way to Europe.

Liam Payne passed away after jumping from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Argentia
Currently sold for around $99 per gram, the drug’s appealing name belies the significant dangers it poses.

U. S. Drug Enforcement Agents have sounded the alarm about this synthetic drug circulating in New York’s clubs as a purportedly entertaining party enhancer, yet its effects are far from benign.

The lethal blend typically comprises MDMA, ketamine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, and crack, making this risky compound infrequently containing actual cocaine, despite what its moniker may imply.

The drug scene has seen a startling rise in the misuse of ketamine, notorious for its severe disassociative effects that can lead to frightening experiences.

When mixed with pink food coloring and white powder, it creates ‘pink cocaine,’ also known as ‘Tusi’ or ‘Tuci,’ which poses risks of amnesia and has been linked to date rape incidents.

The horrific aftermath of ketamine abuse includes loss of consciousness and respiratory troubles, sometimes resulting in death.

In a recent CBS News interview, Bridget Brennan, New York City’s special narcotics prosecutor, elaborated: “It’s ketamine mixed with methamphetamine, ecstasy. It could be mixed with anything.”

Many believe Pink Cocaine is cocaine but it is in fact a mixture of different drugs ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
She further described the dangers: “It can put people into a ‘k-hole’ where they feel like they’re in a blank space like they are disassociated from their body, they’re disassociated from their brain, they don’t know what’s going on.”

Earlier this year, Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones, a music producer, filed a 79-page lawsuit against Grammy Award-winning artist Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, including claims involving the designer drug.

Allegations surfaced that everyone from “the butler, the chef to the housekeepers” at Diddy’s service was obligated to carry “a pouch or fanny pack filled with cocaine, GHB, ecstasy, marijuana gummies, and Tuci (a pink drug that is a combination of ecstasy and cocaine).”

In a separate incident, pink cocaine was is believed to have been found in Liam Payne’s system at his time of death. A close friend of Liam has alleged dealers targeted the musician, delivering drugs to his hotel room just as he was getting back on track after weeks of sobriety.

The unnamed confidante divulged details to Mail Online about Liam’s previous stints in rehab facilities in the UK and California, and mentioned that recently, he had started seeing a new psychiatrist in Florida, while those close to him held onto hope for his recovery.

The source revealed: “He went to Argentina to renew his USA visa, where he had to undergo medical examination because of his history with alcohol and drugs. The results of the tests were good. Liam was 100 percent sober. But when he checked in at the hotel, at some point, someone there started giving him drugs.”

P Diddy allegedly made his staff carry around small pouches of Pink Cocaine ( Image: Getty Images)
Allegedly, despite Liam’s determination to stay clean, he became a target for exploitation because of financial incentives.

Following the heartbreaking incident, two employees at Casa Sur Hotel, where Liam was staying before his death, are under investigation, according to The Daily Mail.

A cleaner and another hotel staff member reportedly concealed drugs in a Dove soap box retrieved by police.

Authorities are now examining any connections linking the situation to VIP drug providers in their ongoing inquiry into the death.

Liam opened up about his past struggles with substance abuse, which led to a transformative 10-day stint at a Louisiana clinic in July 2023.

There, he immersed himself in art and poetry, intentionally limiting his interactions with the outside world.