Forensic experts discovered traces of cocaine in the body of former One Direction star, Liam Payne, following his tragic death at a hotel in Argentina last week. Respected news portal Infobae reported that an autopsy revealed the presence of the class-A drug in materials extracted from the singer’s body after his untimely demise.
ABC News further claimed that among the substances found was “pink cocaine,” a lethal cocktail of drugs including MDMA, ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack. The pop star tragically lost his life after falling from a third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, suffering severe injuries deemed incompatible with life.
City ambulance spokesman Alberto Crescenti stated that the singer had fallen approximately 45 feet before his body was discovered in an internal patio of the hotel. Payne leaves behind a seven year old son, Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner and fellow pop star Cheryl, as well as four heartbroken former bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.
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Pink cocaine, known for its hallucinogenic effects, has become increasingly popular across Latin America’s party scene. It contains a blend of synthetic substances, including MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, and amphetamines, while some variations also contain LSD, mescaline, and opioids like fentanyl.
The drug, locally known as “tusi” or “tuci,” is thought to have originated in Colombia before gaining popularity in clubs and raves. Due to its highly variable and often unregulated chemical composition, users can experience significant, and potentially fatal side effects, including euphoria, increased alertness, and enhanced sensory perception, reports the Mirror.
These can quickly turn into negative experiences such as anxiety, paranoia, panic, and hallucinations. Unlike traditional cocaine, pink cocaine’s chemical structure is different.
Regular cocaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid, while pink cocaine is considered a “designer drug” containing phenylethylamine derivatives, which cause the hallucinogenic effect. Police in Argentina have conducted tests on a white powder found in Liam’s hotel room, but the results have so far been “inconclusive.”
The outcome of a second test using chromatography – a powerful analytical separation technique – on the powder is pending. Liam’s father Geoff, who travelled to Argentina last week, is believed to have been informed by authorities that the singer cannot be flown back to the UK until his death is confirmed “scientifically.”