Disturbing Discovery of New Narcotic in Cape Town

4 mins read
pink cocaine drug arrest

A new potent narcotic known as ‘pink cocaine’, ‘Tucibi’ or ‘Tusi’ has been discovered in Cape Town, South Africa, primarily distributed to wealthy drug users. The drug, originally popularized in Spain, is easily recognizable by its distinct pink, powdery form. Its emergence highlights the ever-changing threat of drugs, emphasizing the need for law enforcement, community members, and drug counselling centers to remain vigilant and adaptable. A recent arrest of a suspect in possession of the drug was made possible due to a tip-off from concerned citizens, raising fresh concerns about the extent of the city’s drug problem.

Disturbing news emerges from Cape Town as law enforcement discover a new potent narcotic known as ‘pink cocaine’, ‘Tucibi’ or ‘Tusi’. Originally popularized in Spain, the drug is easily recognizable by its distinct pink, powdery form and is primarily distributed to wealthy drug users who are already accustomed to cocaine. The emergence of pink cocaine highlights the ever-changing threat of drugs, emphasizing the need for law enforcement, community members, and drug counselling centers to remain vigilant, proactive, and adaptable in their readiness to confront new challenges.

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In a revelation that left the peaceful city of Cape Town reeling, their local law enforcement recently revealed the presence of a potent new narcotic in the Grassy Park district. This frightening finding, which occurred last Thursday, signaled the entry of a drug known as ‘pink cocaine’, ‘Tucibi’ or ‘Tusi’ into South Africa’s drug scene for the first time.

Originally popularized in Spain, this potent narcotic is easily recognized by its distinct pink, powdery form. Its distribution in South Africa appears to cater primarily to wealthy drug users who are already accustomed to cocaine, marking a novel development within the nation’s drug landscape.

Community Tip-Off Leads to Arrest

This significant breakthrough was instigated by a tip-off from alert and concerned citizens, alarmed by what they suspected to be drug-related activities taking place in their neighborhood. Colonel Dawood Laing, the station commander in Grassy Park, led the subsequent operation, which resulted in the successful arrest of a 28-year-old suspect. The apprehended individual was found to be in possession of 10 packets of the striking pink narcotic.

The apprehended individual, a formerly unnoted figure within the local drug community, was taken into custody and is expected to face charges at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court. Colonel Laing emphasized the crucial role that community involvement played in this case and encouraged residents to maintain this level of alertness and proactive stance in the ongoing battle against drugs.

New Concerns and Questions

This introduction of pink cocaine into Cape Town’s drug scene raises fresh concerns about the extent of the city’s drug problem and shines a spotlight on the constant evolution of the illegal narcotics trade, as suppliers and dealers adjust their strategies in response to changing law enforcement tactics and shifts in consumer preference.

Ashley Potts, a former director of the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre, expressed his serious concerns about the local emergence of pink cocaine. He pointed out the deadly nature of this drug, which is based on fentanyl and often mixed with an array of other substances, including hallucinogens, ecstasy, opioids, and even bath salts.

Potts urged officials to promptly conduct tests to determine the actual components of this new narcotic. His worries focus on the potential for unknown elements to be added to the drug, leading to unpredictable harm to users. The drug’s unique pink shade, Potts noted, could potentially be disguised as a tactic to evade detection by the authorities.

Official Response and Ongoing Struggle

Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen lauded the arrest and took this opportunity to again highlight the devastating impact of the illegal drug trade on communities. He underscored the fact that the sale of drugs serves as a primary source of income for gangs, igniting a cycle of relentless violence. Since his appointment to Parliament in 2019, Allen has been outspoken in his stance against drugs and gangsterism, vowing to enhance his engagement with the provincial commissioner to tackle Cape Town’s narcotics problem.

This recent arrest marks a new phase in Cape Town’s ongoing battle against drugs. As the police heighten their investigations, tracing the background and supply routes of this new narcotic, the residents of Cape Town are reminded of the continuously changing threat of drugs. The emergence of pink cocaine drives home the fact that the struggle against this scourge is far from finished. It reinforces the need for law enforcement, community members, and drug counselling centres to remain vigilant, proactive, and adaptable in their readiness to confront the new challenges that the underground drug trade continually presents.

What is ‘pink cocaine’, ‘Tucibi’ or ‘Tusi’?

‘Pink cocaine’, ‘Tucibi’ or ‘Tusi’ is a new potent narcotic discovered in Cape Town, South Africa, originally popularized in Spain. It is easily recognizable by its distinct pink, powdery form and is primarily distributed to wealthy drug users who are already accustomed to cocaine.

How was the presence of ‘pink cocaine’ discovered in Cape Town?

The presence of ‘pink cocaine’ in Cape Town was discovered through a tip-off from alert and concerned citizens who suspected drug-related activities taking place in their neighborhood. The subsequent operation led by Colonel Dawood Laing resulted in the successful arrest of a 28-year-old suspect found in possession of 10 packets of the narcotic.

What are the concerns about the emergence of ‘pink cocaine’ in Cape Town?

The emergence of ‘pink cocaine’ in Cape Town raises fresh concerns about the extent of the city’s drug problem and shines a spotlight on the constant evolution of the illegal narcotics trade. Its deadly nature, based on fentanyl and often mixed with an array of other substances, including hallucinogens, ecstasy, opioids, and even bath salts, is a cause for concern. There are also worries about unknown elements being added to the drug, leading to unpredictable harm to users.

What is the official response to the arrest of the suspect in possession of ‘pink cocaine’?

Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen lauded the arrest and highlighted the devastating impact of the illegal drug trade on communities. He underscored the fact that the sale of drugs serves as a primary source of income for gangs, igniting a cycle of relentless violence. Since his appointment to Parliament in 2019, Allen has been outspoken in his stance against drugs and gangsterism, vowing to enhance his engagement with the provincial commissioner to tackle Cape Town’s narcotics problem.

What role does community involvement play in the fight against drugs in Cape Town?

Community involvement plays a crucial role in the fight against drugs in Cape Town. The successful arrest of a suspect in possession of ‘pink cocaine’ was made possible due to a tip-off from concerned citizens. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and proactive in the fight against drugs.

What is the need for law enforcement, community members, and drug counselling centers in the fight against drugs?

The emergence of ‘pink cocaine’ in Cape Town highlights the ever-changing threat of drugs, emphasizing the need for law enforcement, community members, and drug counselling centers to remain vigilant and adaptable in their readiness to confront new challenges. The struggle against drugs is far from finished, and it reinforces the need for a collaborative effort to combat the underground drug trade continually presents.

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

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