Argentina drugs: Adulterated cocaine kills 12 in Buenos Aires

Adulterated cocaine has killed at least 12 people and left 50 in hospitals around the Buenos Aires region of Argentina, the authorities say.

Investigators believe the illegal drug was either laced with some kind of poison or "cut" with another substance.

The regional security minister called on any users who had bought cocaine in the past 24 hours to throw it away.

Reports suggest the drugs were bought in the same shantytown, and nine arrests have been made.

Investigators are awaiting the results of post-mortem examinations to compare drugs seized in raids with those consumed by the victims.

Those affected come from the Hurlingham, Tres de Febrero and San Martín districts of the capital region and were brought to local hospitals.

Cocaine (hydrochloride) is a highly addictive stimulant extracted from the leaves of coca plants and is generally snorted.

In San Martín, police identified four of the victims as Hernán Castro, 45, Martín López, 36, Dino Melgarejo, 33, and Fernando Yacante, whose age was not given, the Buenos Aires Times reports.

Argentina's leading daily, La Nación, gave a death toll of 16, quoting investigative sources.

One user reportedly told police they had bought cocaine off an individual in the Puerta 8 shantytown in Tres de Febrero, and raids were launched.

Cocaine was subsequently found in similar packages to those provided by a relative of one of one of those who had died.

There is speculation in local media that the cocaine was adulterated with a toxic substance, probably by a drug gang looking to reduce costs and maximise profits amid a turf war with rival groups, Reuters news agency reports.