Synthetic drugs have long wreaked havoc on communities around the world, and “Tuci” or “Tusi,” also known as “pink cocaine,” is the latest drug to surge on the market. Tusi originated in Colombia and became a hot topic of conversation after the drug was mentioned in Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr.’s lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Jones made shocking accusations in court documents, including accusations that Diddy hosted wild drug parties and committed sexual assaults.
According to Jones, Diddy hired a “mule” named Brendan Paul who “procured, transported and distributed ecstasy, cocaine, GHB by packing these substances in carry-on luggage and through the Transportation Security Administration , Ketamine, Marijuana, Mushrooms and Twitch”. Additionally, Jones identified Yung Miami as the person who helped deliver the drugs to the Bad Boy Mogul. The bright pink substance’s appearance is attractive to users, but since it is a relatively new drug, its long-term effects are still being studied.
What exactly is toast?
A man prepares a powder called Tussi, or pink cocaine, on April 2, 2022, in Medellín, Colombia. Later, drug trafficking continued, with the current market for flavored cocaine, local crack, the drug, and the ketamine-type hallucinogen prevalent in his homeland. (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP) (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images)
Pink cocaine may have emerged in Colombia, but its European connections cannot be ignored. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reported that Tutsi was named after “2C,” a list of psychedelic phenylethylamines that “rarely contain 2C series drugs.” “Most toast samples contained ketamine, often in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids, and/or new psychoactive substances,” they wrote. Combined. Fentanyl is also used to prepare the mixture, and even people with “unintentional exposure” are at risk.
References to “new psychoactive substances” (NPS) also confused authorities. WebMD reports that NPS drugs are challenging to test because of their different chemical compositions. Nicknamed “pink cocaine,” some people simply believe the drug is a food-dyed version of the typical white drug. However, researchers say toast may not be cocaine at all, but it is certainly a combination of some of the most popular and dangerous street drugs. “Certainly any customer would think that something sold as ‘pink cocaine’ contained cocaine,” New York City’s special narcotics prosecutor Bridget Brennan said, according to Newsweek. “But it’s interesting. The thing is, we actually rarely find it.” There’s also evidence that toast may contain bath salts, caffeine, LSD, or mescaline.
How does the drug make the user feel?
Brennan added that “the main concern is the user,” especially given the drug’s inconsistent ingredients. Toast contains depressants and stimulants that shock the system and cause a range of potentially fatal effects. “Cocaine is a stimulant, and people who want to get it may be aware of how it affects their body or their tolerance,” Brennan said of the “speedball” mix. “Ketamine is something completely different. It’s an anesthetic, a sedative, and it has hallucinogenic properties.”
Additionally, toast’s “high” reportedly lasts from one to three hours, but can last up to eight hours. Users note that the illegal drug heightens their senses, makes them feel euphoric, and increases their heart rate. These observations vary because the composition of each batch of drug is unknown.
Side effects of toast
A man prepares a powder called Tussi, or pink cocaine, on April 2, 2022, in Medellín, Colombia. Later, drug trafficking continued, with the current market for flavored cocaine, local crack, the drug, and the ketamine-type hallucinogen prevalent in his homeland. (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP) (Photo by Joaquin Sarmiento/AFP via Getty Images)
As with all street drugs, the side effects of toast can be fatal. Factors such as drug tolerance, body size, amount (and frequency) used, and ingredients in the toast can all influence these harmful effects. In addition to the “joy” brought by toast, the negative effects of toast include confusion, stomach problems, hallucinations, breathing changes, decreased body temperature, feeling irritable, and even epileptic seizures. Long-term use can also cause changes in the brain and permanent damage to blood vessels. There have also been reports of cardiac arrest, mostly caused by “excited delirium”.
“People who think they’ve taken cocaine and end up taking a fairly large dose of ketamine may be completely knocked out,” Brennan said. “The effects on them won’t be what they expected, and they may not have been prepared for that reaction in any way. Be prepared. It’s dangerous.” Additionally, prolonged use of toast can lead to depression, anxiety, personality changes, and changes in sleep patterns.
Large-scale drug busts continue to increase
Raids and arrests related to pink cocaine have increased over the past few years. California and New York state were the sites of the crackdown, and Mexico and the coasts of Central and South America were monitored for four months this year, reports said. During this time, more than 140 pounds of toast were seized. The U.S. Coast Guard is diligent in these patrols and has seized a variety of illegal drugs off the streets, including toast worth more than $2 billion.
The raids in February and March resulted in five people being arrested and facing federal charges. Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander of Coast Guard District 11, said in a statement that “the effort that went into intercepting more than 33,000 pounds of cocaine in a matter of weeks is unparalleled.” He added: “We “We will continue to work to stop these criminals and the large quantities of drugs they seek to bring into our country.”
Meanwhile, Brennan detailed her first confrontation with Tutsi, when Carlos Asturias, 51, was arrested in January 2023. A traffic stop was made and 10 pounds of pink cocaine was found in a bag. However, further testing revealed the drug was pure ketamine.
Authorities link toast trafficking to Venezuelan gangs
Yesterday, Denver, Colorado reported a jewelry robbery linked to the notorious Venezuelan gang Trende Algua. Several men allegedly threatened the family-owned business with guns, assaulted two women who worked at the location and pulled their hair. The same gang is believed to be a major player in the trafficking of toast to the United States.
There is also speculation that Mexican drug cartels are also distributing the drug. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said in a threat investigation that “the Mexican government has not disclosed the seizure of any Tutsi laboratories in Mexico, but the Sinaloa cartel has the ability to import large quantities of ketamine from China to promote Tutsi in Mexico.” Production. It is also believed that traffickers organize musical events with the sole purpose of spreading toast to the masses.
Teenager dies after drink spiked with Tutsi
Several global reports have also highlighted a particularly damaging incident in Spain. A 14-year-old boy and two friends reportedly met someone on Instagram and later arranged to meet face-to-face in Madrid. There, the teenager drank Red Bull laced with tulsi, leading to their deaths. This further emphasizes the dangers of toast as it can also be administered against someone’s will, raising concerns that toast can also serve as an attack on the unsuspecting.
About the author
Erika Marie is an experienced journalist, editor, and ghostwriter working primarily in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles-based editor, storyteller and activist has been involved behind the scenes in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. EM attempts to write engaging stories while remaining informative and respectful. She is a champion of lyrical playfulness and penmanship. Favorite music: Motown, New Jack Swing, 90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock and Punk; funk, soul, Harlem Renaissance jazz masters and artists who innovate rather than simply copy.
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