A dangerous designer drug dubbed ‘pink cocaine’ is said to be sweeping through Europe and has been found in several locations in the UK.
Despite its name, the pink-coloured drug is not made from cocaine and is actually a mixture of ketamine and MDMA at inconsistent levels.
As well as being known as ‘pink cocaine', the drug is also called ‘tuci’ or 2C.
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According to a report from the UN, it’s been found in Spain, Austria, Switzerland and the UK.
It was discovered at a UK festival last year, prompting drug checking charity The Loop to issue a warning.
“Powder sold as 'pink tusi' has been tested on-site @lostvillagefest,” the warning read.
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“Pink tusi (AKA 'pink cocaine', or 'pink') is not 2C-B, but a combination of several drugs - and always dyed pink.
“Frequently contains ketamine, MDMA & caffeine - but every batch is different.”
Now, a report in the Sun claims the drug has been found in cities including Manchester and Sheffield.
One user told the publication: “It’s all the rage in clubs and at after-parties.
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“It’s just a fun, trippy drug perfect for festivals."
But an expert warned that the drug can contain a grim mix of ‘dealers leftovers’, which could cause heart problems, blurred vision, panic attacks and anxiety.
Dr Hannah Thurgur, a researcher at the Drugs Science charity, told the Sun: “Mixing drugs can be dangerous.
“For example, missing two depressant drugs like alcohol and benzos is particularly risky as this can drastically slow down breathing and heart rate.
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“Pink cocaine is an emerging drug. The challenge comes in knowing what else it could be mixed with which is why we need more projects which will check drugs for users.
“In Bristol there’s a night time harm reduction project for drugs and plans for a drugs checking service for people to test what they are taking.
“We would like to see more of these across the UK.
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“We’re optimistic that the drugs landscape can really change with more cities adopting harm reduction rather than zero tolerance.”
Last year, cops in Ibiza busted a British drug gang and found 13 kilos of pink cocaine, with a street value of £1.1 million.
The Guardia Civil said the gang were ‘mainly British’ and ‘of a very violent nature’, alongside the drugs they also seized a submachine gun.
Claire Reid