The fluorescent drug cocktail is part of a "consumer marketing" exercise as attitudes "shift against" ketamine
Suspected pink cocaine was discovered during a raid in Liverpool this week.
Suspected pink cocaine was discovered during a raid in Liverpool this week.(Image: Marianna Longo/Liverpool ECHO)
View 2 Images
Ketamine is being repurposed as "pink cocaine" by dealers seeking to remarket excess product, according to a Liverpool academic. The drug, reportedly found in the system of One Direction star Liam Payne after his death, was discovered at a property in Anfield during a police raid earlier this week.
Pink cocaine, also known as tuci or tucibi, consists of a cocktail of different substances, including ketamine, MDMA and caffeine. It usually does not contain cocaine, despite the name. The party drug originated in Colombia around the mid-2010s and made its way into the UK around 2020.
Dealers are converting excess ketamine into the drug in a "deliberate remarketing" exercise, according to Harry Sumnall, Professor of Substance Use at the School of Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University. Professor Sumnall told the ECHO: "It is not surprising there was a seizure in Liverpool, especially considering what pink cocaine actually contains.
'Deliberate remarketing'
"'Pink cocaine' is a generic catch-all term. It is called that because it is a pink powder, but it very rarely actually contains cocaine. It may have been named that for marketing purposes to target a more exclusive set of purchasers. Analyses consistently show the main compounds are ketamine, MDMA, and usually caffeine or other inert drugs used as bulking agents.
"It is interesting that ketamine is the most frequently detected substance since it is so prevalent in the UK and Liverpool. This could be a deliberate remarketing of excess ketamine."
A powder suspected to be pink cocaine was discovered at a property in Anfield by police on Wednesday (February 4). Two suspected dealers were arrested after the discovery, with ecstasy, heroin and ketamine also found during the raid.
Suspected "pink cocaine" found at a property in Anfield.
Suspected 'pink cocaine' found at a property in Anfield(Image: Merseyside Police)
View 2 Images
Professor Sumnall continued: "An organization in Spain called Energy Control monitors drug markets and the dark net; they have identified around 15 different drug compounds in samples sold as pink cocaine. While ketamine and MDMA are predominant, they have also found opioids, crack cocaine, 2C-B, and methamphetamine."
Professor Sumnall says the rise in prevalence of pink cocaine has a "consumer marketing" aspect, and that recent press reports on the harmful effects of ketamine may have had an effect.
'Social attitudes shift against ketamine'
He said: "Beyond the increase in popularity, there is likely a strong relationship to the amount of ketamine circulating. As social attitudes potentially shift against ketamine, drug sellers may be using this as a way to profit from remaining stock.
"People are always interested in the next drug product. Brand-new chemicals rarely come onto the market or dominate it. Instead, you see existing drugs being repackaged, such as different designs on ecstasy tablets or crystal MDMA. We are now seeing ketamine being repurposed as pink cocaine."
Pink cocaine has dangers similar to those of its constituent drugs. Professor Sumnall warns that multiple compounds within the mixture might interact regarding toxicity.
Every gram of pink cocaine 'should be considered different'
Professor Sumnall said: "As with any drug on the illicit market, you cannot be sure of the purity or identity. Energy Control’s advice is that every gram of pink cocaine should be considered different from the last because the market is so dynamic.
"Users might take a batch without adverse effects, but the next one could be a completely different and dangerous mixture."
Do you have experience of pink cocaine? Contact jon.blackburn@liverpoolecho.co.uk