Tusi but not 2C: A Miami-Dade medical examiner case series highlighting the variable drug composition in colored powder paraphernalia.
Journal of forensic sciences May 1, 2025 Diane M Moore, Alexander D Giachetti, M Elizabeth Zaney et al. 3 citations
Between September 2020 and July 2024, eight deaths in Miami-Dade County involved ingestion of colored powders called "tusi," "tucibi," or "pink cocaine." Fourteen powders, mostly pink with sweet or fruity aromas, were analyzed. Ketamine appeared in all powders, most also contained MDMA, and some included cocaine, opioids, benzodiazepines, or synthetic cathinones; none contained fentanyl or 2C-B. Five deaths were accidental (four drug overdoses, one fall), and three were suicides. All decedents had multiple drugs in their blood. Peripheral blood ketamine concentrations ranged from 0.38 to 8.8 mg/L, and MDMA from 0.10 to 3.0 mg/L. These cases illustrate the variable drug composition of "tusi" powders and their role in medicolegal death investigation.