What is pink cocaine? Drug cocktail linked to Liam Payne's death

A modern drug cocktail linked to the death of pop star Liam Payne is sparking concern among health authorities as it spreads across Europe.

The former One Direction star had reportedly consumed the drug mix “pink cocaine” before his death. A partial autopsy found all of the drugs making up the cocktail, an anonymous Argentine source familiar with the toxicology report told the Associated Press.

Crack cocaine and benzodiazepines were also said to be in Mr Payne's system at the time of his death. The 31-year-old musician was on a trip to Argentina when he fell from a hotel balcony and suffered fatal injuries.

Tributes have been pouring in for the singer, including from his former One Direction bandmates, who say they are “completely devastated” by his death.

Here's everything you need to know about the drug mix linked to Mr. Payne's death:

What is pink cocaine?

“Pink cocaine” is a synthetic mixture of drugs that does not typically contain cocaine. The three most common substances it contains are MDMA, ketamine and 2C-B.

MDMA, or Ecstasy, is a widely used party drug with stimulant and mildly psychedelic properties. The also popular ketamine is a powerful anesthetic with dissociative, sedative and hallucinogenic effects.

2C-B is a lesser-known substance. It is a powerful psychedelic drug with hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. MDMA and 2C-B are both Class A drugs, while ketamine is Class B.

This dangerous drug cocktail provides an incredibly powerful experience. It has been linked to increasing numbers of drug-related deaths in recent years.

The drug typically comes in powder or pill form and is characterized by its bright pink color, which has been artificially added to make it more appealing.

A major concern experts have with pink cocaine, sometimes known as “tusi,” stems from the unpredictable mix of substances, each of which poses its own risks. Although the name may lead users to believe they are taking cocaine, it is likely several other drugs.

Ketamine ingestion is particularly concerning because abuse of the substance can cause loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing, which in some cases can lead to death.

The drug dates back to the 1970s and resurfaced in its modern form in Colombia around 2010. It quickly became very popular in Latin America and has now spread to Europe.

Pink cocaine has gained a reputation as a “designer drug” in recent years and is being marketed as a high-end product for around £76 a gram, according to a report.