大象传媒

At least 17 people have died in Argentina and dozens have been hospitalised after consuming cocaine suspected of containing a poisonous substance.

Experts are still analysing the drug to determine what was in it that caused the deaths.

One hypothesis being considered is that the cocaine was intentionally adulterated as part of a settling of scores between traffickers.

Frankie Deges is a journalist based in Buenos Aires. He says: 鈥淭his is a business, you want to keep customers alive and not kill them鈥�rival gangs are trying to ruin the market for the other gang.鈥�

(Picture: Residents are seen in the low-income neighbourhood "Puerta 8" where according to local media people bought cocaine suspected of containing a poisonous substance, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Credit: REUTERS/Matias Baglietto)