What is Liquid Cocaine?

When rapper and music mogul Diddy (formerly known as P. Diddy) was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, a variety of substances were found in his possession. While the over 1,000 bottles of baby oil captured most of the headlines, reports are that he also required his staff to carry rather exotic drugs, such as “pink cocaine,” ecstasy, GHB, and something called “liquid cocaine.” In this article, we’ll explain the dangers of liquid cocaine. 

Can Cocaine Be a Liquid? 

When most people hear the word “cocaine,” they generally think of its white powder formulation. But cocaine can also be a liquid. Cocaine hydrochloride, the powdered form of cocaine, is water-soluble. When dissolved in water or another liquid, it creates a liquid solution of cocaine. 

There are a couple of reasons people turn cocaine into a liquid. Cocaine in liquid form is occasionally used as a local anesthetic, particularly in certain medical or dental procedures. This is a controlled, regulated use of the substance. 

However, it’s mostly used for illicit purposes. Cocaine solutions can be injected intravenously. This is highly dangerous and increases the risk of overdose and infections. Drug traffickers also sometimes dissolve cocaine in liquids (like alcohol, water, or other substances) to smuggle it more discreetly. The liquid cocaine can later be extracted or processed back into its solid form.

Other Forms of Cocaine 

Cocaine is available in various forms, each with distinct physical characteristics, methods of use, and associated risks.  

Here are the primary forms: 

• Cocaine Hydrochloride (Powder Cocaine) – The most widely recognized form of cocaine, highly water-soluble. Often diluted with other substances like talc, baking soda, or other drugs to increase profit margins. 

• Crack Cocaine – Made by processing powdered cocaine with baking soda and water to create a smokable substance. Crack is often cheaper but more addictive than powdered cocaine. 

• Freebase Cocaine – Created by chemically altering cocaine to remove impurities. Highly flammable and dangerous to produce. 

• Pink Cocaine (Tusi/Tucibi) – Despite its name, it often does not contain actual cocaine. Instead, it’s a mix of synthetic drugs like 2C-B (a psychedelic) and other stimulants. Popular in party settings, which is why it was named in the Diddy lawsuit.  

• Liquid Cocaine – Less common but increasingly used for smuggling purposes or intravenous use. 

• Coca Paste (Paco) – A low-purity, cheap, and highly addictive intermediate product in cocaine production. Common in South America. 

• Synthetic Cocaine – Created in labs to mimic cocaine’s effects, these are often sold as “legal highs” or in mislabeled products. They can be more toxic and unpredictable. 

Each form of cocaine carries significant health risks. Cocaine abuse poses severe risks to both physical and mental health. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, respiratory damage, and neurological impairment, with chronic use leading to addiction and intense cravings. 

How Liquid Cocaine is Made and Used 

Cocaine in its liquid form is often used in drug smuggling because it is more difficult to detect during customs inspections and can be disguised as everyday liquids like beverages, cleaning products, or cosmetics. Once smuggled, the liquid cocaine is typically extracted and processed back into a powder or crystallized form for distribution and consumption. 

The 2025 Hong Kong drug bust underscores the scale and sophistication of this operation. Customs officers seized 40 kilograms of liquid cocaine concealed in wine bottles, highlighting how traffickers exploit everyday items to smuggle drugs. Such incidents illustrate the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating smuggling, as traffickers continually adapt their methods to evade detection. Colombian drug traffickers are also increasingly turning to liquid cocaine as a way to evade drug enforcement authorities. 

In terms of use, liquid cocaine is rarely consumed in its liquid state due to the challenges of measuring and administering precise doses. However, it can be injected, which poses severe risks, including vein damage, infections, and overdose. More commonly, liquid cocaine is a transportation method, reflecting its role in global drug trafficking networks. Reports are that Diddy may have been involved in liquid cocaine trafficking.