Allegedly Intercity War, 16 People Killed And 50 Others Rushed To Hospital Due To Fake Cocaine

JAKARTA - At least 16 people have died while 50 others have been rushed to hospitals in the Buenos Aires region of Argentina due to counterfeit cocaine, according to authorities.

Investigators believe the illegal drug was laced with some kind of poison or "cut" with other substances to have a dangerous, even lethal, effect.

In the aftermath of this incident, the local regional security minister asked every user who had purchased cocaine in the last 24 hours to dispose of it, to avoid unwanted things.

Reports suggest the drugs were purchased in the same shantytown, with nine arrests made. In addition, investigators are also waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to compare the drugs seized in the raid with those consumed by the victim.

Those affected and victims came from the districts of Hurlingham, Tres de Febrero, and San Martín in the capital region, where they were rushed to local hospitals.

Outside a hospital in Hurlingham, people were told by local media it was linked to one of the victims assaulting and vandalizing an empty police car.

Cocaine (hydrochloride) is a highly addictive stimulant that is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant and is commonly inhaled. A 2019 report on drug consumption in the United States noted that Argentina had the third-highest rate of cocaine consumption per person after the United States and Uruguay.

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

Separately, a user reportedly told police they had purchased cocaine from an individual in the Puerta 8 slum town of Tres de Febrero with officers then carrying out a raid.

Cocaine was later found in packages similar to those provided by relatives of one of those who had died.

"Every trafficker who buys cocaine cuts it. Some do it with non-toxic substances like starch. Others include hallucinogens, and if there is no form of control, those things will pass," said Buenos Aires Provincial Security Minister Sergio Berni quoting the BBC on February 3.

However, on this occasion, the drug was cut with a dangerous substance as part of a "war between drug dealers", he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Authorities suspect the substance used to cut cocaine contains a strong sedative, the agency added. Meanwhile, the victim is believed to have experienced convulsions and a sudden heart attack.