A synthetic drug cocktail known as pink cocaine, has rapidly become a major concern in Spain, the UK and beyond. Earlier this month, Spanish authorities carried out their largest ever synthetic drug bust, seizing a large quantity of pink cocaine alongside more than a million ecstasy pills. The operation targeted drug networks across Ibiza and Malaga.
This dangerous substance has been linked to a growing number of drug-related deaths. The unpredictable composition and rising popularity of pink cocaine have sparked calls from European drug harm reduction organizations for urgent action to address the risks it poses. Despite its name, pink cocaine doesn't necessarily contain any cocaine.
Instead, it's often a mixture of various other substances, including MDMA, ketamine and 2C-B. MDMA , commonly known as ecstasy, is a stimulant with psychedelic properties while ketamine is a powerful anesthetic which has sedative and hallucinogenic effects. 2C drugs are classed as psychedelics but they can also produce stimulant effects.
Typically found in powder or pill form, pink cocaine is known for its vibrant color, which is designed to enhance its visual appeal. It's colored using food coloring and sometimes strawberry or other flavorings. The original psychedelic form of the drug dates to 1974 and was first synthesized by American biochemist, Alexander Shulgin .
But the modern variant emerged around 2010 in Colombia and is a knock-off version. The drug gained popularity on the party scene.