Pink Cocaine: What Is the Drug That’s Been Referenced Amid Diddy's Legal Issues?
The substance has been all over headlines in recent weeks. But what is it?
Not long after Diddy’s arrest in New York and subsequent unsealed indictment accusing him of trafficking and racketeering, prosecutors alleged that a not-yet-tested pink powder had been found in his hotel room.
Those who have been following the lawsuits and accusations against the longtime mogul were quick to note that a similar-sounding substance had previously been mentioned in separate allegations earlier this year. More recently, the possible catchall term “pink cocaine” was also widely seen in headlines in connection with body camera footage of a woman alleged to be responsible for a deadly Miami car crash. That incident, however, has no connection to Diddy or his case.
But what, exactly, is this so-called “pink cocaine” anyway? Is it even cocaine? The answer isn’t as cut-and-dried as one might assume, though we do our best to break down something near an explanation below. Keep reading for more.
What is it?
The concoction goes by several names. Among them are tusi, tuci, tucibi, et al. The pink coloring, as you might have guessed, is achieved through dye. As for the actual makeup of so-called “pink cocaine,” coke itself is not necessarily required as an ingredient.
Typical versions of the substance may or may not include varying combinations (per the National Center for Biotechnology Information, at least) of ketamine, MDMA, meth, coke, opioids, caffeine, and other potential ingredients. But don’t let the phonetic overlap of “tusi” and “2C” confuse you. The latter is not synonymous with the former. To be clear, actual “pink cocaine” is not pictured above. Instead, we’ve gone the close-as-it-gets depiction route.
Why is it being discussed right now?
Namely, of course, the Diddy case. But the aforementioned hotel room allegation from prosecutors in the explosive trafficking and racketeering case isn’t the first time the substance has been mentioned in connection with Diddy. Earlier this year, its mention in an amended lawsuit from producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. received a great deal of attention, as did related claims involving Yung Miami.
Notably, Diddy’s alleged “drug mule” was arrested earlier this year. In May, it was reported that the individual in question, identified as Brendan Paul, had dodged time behind bars by taking a plea deal.
In New York, per local outlet WPIX, the distribution of pink cocaine is claimed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to be on the rise.
