What is 'tusi', 'pink cocaine'? The colorful new designer drug that's taking over
NEW YORK - "Tusi," better known as "pink cocaine," is popping up in nightclubs from coast to coast.
It's a candy-colored designer drug with a catchy name that has been linked to several drug busts – even in a lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
While the mystery powder is pink, narcotic experts say there's only a small amount (if any), of cocaine in it.
The problem is that there's no way to know what other drugs or chemicals are inside "pink cocaine."
Featured
What is Tren de Aragua? The 'violent' Venezuelan gang recruiting NYC migrants
Police say that members of the gang have gone from crimes like shoplifting and stealing cell phones to all-out shoot-outs. Authorities warn that the group is looking to expand its international empire.
Where does ‘pink cocaine’ come from?
Law enforcement officials say "pink cocaine," also known as "tusi," has been connected to drug seizures and, in some cases, is being trafficked by the notorious Venezuelan migrant gang Tren de Argua.
It's also being trafficked and sold in underground venues, which has made it a challenge for law enforcement, retired NYPD Lieutenant Darren Porcher told FOX 5 NY.
Porhcer, who worked for undercover narcotics, said that a lot of what the police know is based on informants and what they avail to them.
How much is ‘pink cocaine’?
The bright-colored powder has been gaining popularity among the nightlife scene in New York City because of its low price.
"Pink cocaine" gained even more popularity when it was mentioned in a civil lawsuit against Sean Diddy Combs as one of the disgraced mogul's alleged drugs of choice.
Featured
Diddy returns key to NYC in response to video of him attacking singer Cassie
Sean "Diddy" Combs has returned his key to New York City after a request from NYC Mayor Eric Adams in response to the release of a video showing the music mogul attacking R&B singer Cassie.
What's in ‘pink cocaine’?
Officials say the drug is low in price, but it's even higher in risk since so much is unknown about the drug.
"'Pink cocaine' is a misnomer. The combination of drugs being used is not just cocaine, but rather a mix of MDMA, ketamine, even opioids such as fentanyl. So it's really a mix, and each one of them carries a significant amount of its own risk," Dr. Yalda Safai , a psychiatrist who focuses on mental health, told FOX 5 NY.
Regardless of how dangerous the mixture is, the bright candy color and the cheap price are appealing to many potential users.
Joseph Palamar, MPH, PhD associate professor of population health at NYU Langone, recently published a study on this popular powder. He told FOX 5 NY that it will continue to make headlines if it hits the hip-hop world like the drug molly did.
"Prevalence appears to be increasing, but it's a pretty new drug, so we don't know how popular this drug concoction is going to be in the near future. I do think it's gonna be more prevalent though," Palamar said.