Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta from Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
A synthetic narcotic that is reshaping the global drug landscape through aesthetics, cartel strategy, and lethal unpredictability
Tusi, widely known as "pink cocaine," is a synthetic cocktail that has rapidly expanded from Latin America to Europe and the United States. Despite its nickname, pink cocaine is not really cocaine. Rather, it is a visually appealing powder, often with a sweet aroma, made up of a highly variable mixture of psychoactive substances. Its spread is closely linked to transnational criminal organizations, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua (TDA), trafficking networks from Colombia and Peru, and Mexican cartels such as Sinaloa, making it an increasing threat to public health, law enforcement, and international security.
Composition and Branding of Pink Cocaine
Tusi is not a singular chemical substance but a brand name for various synthetic mixtures. While early versions in Colombia contained methaqualone or 2C-B, modern formulations typically include:
● Ketamine (dissociative anesthetic)
● MDMA (ecstasy, stimulant, and empathogen)
● Methamphetamines or other amphetamines
● Caffeine
● Opioids (fentanyl, tramadol, oxycodone)
● Benzodiazepines
● New psychoactive substances (NPS)
The product is often dyed pink—with food coloring—and, in some cases, it is flavored to enhance its appeal, especially among young partygoers. It is marketed as a “luxury” or “designer” drug aimed at consumers in nightlife settings and clubs.
Geographic Expansion and Trafficking Networks
The production and trafficking of pink cocaine are concentrated in several Latin American countries:
● Colombia: Main origin point and one of the largest producers; clandestine laboratories lack quality control, leading to dangerous mixtures.
● Peru: Acts as a producer and transit country in collaboration with Colombian networks.
● Brazil: Increasing use in nightlife spaces; police have dismantled laboratories linked to synthetic drugs.
● Argentina: Growing prevalence in urban areas, raising concerns among health authorities.
Mexican cartels, including Sinaloa, have incorporated pink cocaine into their operations, using existing routes and money laundering mechanisms. Shipments move through Central America and Mexico to the United States and Europe by air, sea, and increasingly digital platforms.
Health Hazards and Risks
The main threat of tusi lies in its inconsistent and unpredictable composition. Without laboratory testing, users have no reliable way to know what they are consuming. Key risks:
● Overdose and Acute Toxicity: The combination of stimulants, depressants, and opioids can cause seizures, respiratory or cardiac arrest, serotonin syndrome, coma, or death.
● Physical and Psychological Effects: Hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, memory loss, anxiety, psychosis, and fainting. Some mixtures trigger severe cardiac events when mixed with caffeine or amphetamines.
● Long-term Damage: Addiction, behavioral changes, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues or strokes.
● Contamination with Lethal Substances: Fentanyl and other potent opioids have been detected in samples, causing deaths at minimal doses.
● Social and Criminal Risks: Its use is linked to impaired judgment, violence, sexual assaults, and accidents related to driving under the influence.
● Impact on Public Health: In the U.S., Poison Control Centers reported hospitalizations and at least one suspected death from pink cocaine in 2024.
Production, Distribution, and Authorities' Response
Produced in makeshift laboratories without oversight, tusi is made with accessible and cheap chemicals to maximize profits. Its visual presentation is part of a calculated marketing strategy.
Distribution networks include gangs, regional trafficking groups, and transnational cartels. Smuggling methods include hidden compartments in vehicles, luggage, and increasingly encrypted digital platforms.
In response, security agencies in Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. have intensified surveillance, cross-border cooperation, and interdictions. The DEA and the U.S. Coast Guard have seized large maritime shipments, while European agencies intercept cargo at international airports.
Appearance of Tusi in the United States
Although tusi remains more common in Latin America, its presence is rapidly growing in the U.S., especially in cities with active nightlife. The DEA and local agencies report activity in key regions:
● New York: A 2024 study of EDM partygoers found that 2.7% had used tusi in the past year. Its use was higher among Hispanic communities and poly-drug users.
● Miami, Florida: The Miami-Dade county coroner investigated multiple overdoses from pink mixtures containing ketamine, MDMA, and opioids.
● Texas (Austin and Houston): The DEA confirmed seizures of substances with tusi, often mixed with heroin, MDMA, and cocaine.
● Colorado Springs: In April 2025, a DEA operation at an underground club seized tusi for the first time in Colorado; the operation resulted in over 100 arrests and revealed links to migrant gangs and Venezuelan elements.
● Chicago, Illinois: Agents receive training to identify members of Tren de Aragua. The presence of the group coincides with spikes in tusi circulation.
● National Perspective: According to the DEA, pink cocaine is increasingly found in cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Although its scale remains limited, its unpredictability and branding make it an emerging threat.
Strategic Implications and Recommendations
The global expansion of tusi raises multiple concerns:
● Public Health: Its toxicity and variability present an urgent risk, especially among young people. Tools such as testing services and naloxone kits should be expanded.
● Criminal Innovation: Cartels are quickly adapting and diversifying their sources of income through synthetic drugs.
● Intelligence and Law Enforcement Gaps: The lack of testing standards and the variable composition of tusi complicate its control and prosecution.
Conclusion
Tusi or "pink cocaine" is not a unique drug but a synthetic mixture promoted for its aesthetic appeal. It is highly dangerous, frequently lethal, and its trafficking is controlled by sophisticated transnational criminal networks. Addressing this threat requires expanded intelligence operations, regional cooperation, and a robust public health strategy.
References
● ACS Publications. (2024). Synthetic drug mixtures and new psychoactive substances: An analytical review of regional samples. American Chemical Society. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c00123
● Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). (2024). National Drug Threat Assessment 2024. U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.dea.gov/documents/2024/03/12/2024-national-drug-threat-assessment
● Elle. (2024, March 15). The rise of “pink cocaine”: Latin America’s deadly designer drug now hitting Europe’s party scene. https://www.elle.com/culture/a43532267/pink-cocaine-latin-america
● Newsweek. (2024, April 8). DEA seizes record shipment of pink cocaine linked to Venezuelan gang. https://www.newsweek.com/dea-pink-cocaine-venezuela-tren-aragua-2024
● Miami Herald. (2024, February 22). Pink cocaine bust in Miami reveals synthetic blend laced with ketamine and fentanyl. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article276543601.html
● United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2023). Synthetic drugs in Latin America: Regulatory gaps and rising threats. https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/SyntheticDrugs_LatinAmerica2023.pdf
● Colorado Springs Gazette. (2025, April 18). DEA raids Colorado nightclub, uncovers pink cocaine linked to Venezuelan cartel. https://gazette.com/news/colorado-springs-dea-tusi-raid-2025
● European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). (2024). Emerging drug trends in Europe: The case of pink cocaine. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/alerts/2024/pink-cocaine
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2024). Synthetic drugs and youth risk: 2024 update. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/synthetic-drugs-2024
Jesús Daniel Romero. Retired Commander of Naval Intelligence of the United States. Co-founder and Senior Fellow of the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute. Author of "Final Flight: the queen of air," a bestseller on Amazon. An authorized account of his experiences leading teams against drug trafficking cartels in Central America. A regular consultant on issues within his expertise and geopolitics in general, for major audiovisual and print media in the state of Florida. Columnist for Diario Las Américas of Miami.
William Acosta. Served in the New York Police Department as an investigator. Participated in various international investigations on drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, homicide, and human trafficking. Collaborated with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is currently CEO of Equalizer Investigations, an organization with offices in New York and Florida among others, and associates in Latin America and Europe.
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