According to a recent report from ABC News, an initial autopsy on Liam Payne, the former One Direction member, revealed various substances in his system at the time he tragically fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina last week.
Included in the findings were cocaine, benzodiazepine, crack, and a fourth substance referred to as “pink cocaine.”
What is pink cocaine?
Contrary to what its name suggests, pink cocaine does not contain any cocaine. The National Capital Poison Center characterizes it as a powdered mix of various substances, usually comprising ecstasy, ketamine, caffeine, and a psychedelic known as 2-CB. This drug is also commonly called Tusi, a phonetic interpretation of “2C,” and is typically found as a bright pink powder. The distinctive color is said to be due to added dyes, and it may occasionally feature a strawberry flavoring.
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According to Poison Control, pink cocaine is frequently consumed in party or nightclub environments and can lead to a range of effects, such as hallucinations, anxiety, heightened body temperature, increased heart rate, and nausea, along with various other side effects.
“Physical and sexual assaults, as well as traumatic injuries, have occurred when people are impaired by this type of drug,” the NCPC warns. “It is also important to know that pink cocaine may be contaminated with drugs beyond those mentioned here, so unanticipated effects can occur depending on what is in the mixture.”
Payne, 31, was discovered deceased on Wednesday in the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel after falling from his third-floor room.
Prosecutors stated on Thursday that the circumstances surrounding his death appeared suspicious, partly due to the potential that Payne “was experiencing some sort of substance abuse episode.”
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The police in Buenos Aires reported that Payne’s hotel room was found “in complete disarray.” Authorities discovered packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, along with energy supplements and various over-the-counter medications among Payne’s belongings. Forensic teams indicated that a whiskey bottle, a lighter, and a cellphone were located near Payne’s body, per the AP.