A powdery substance suspected to be cocaine discovered in the White House on Sunday was found in a cubby hole in a West Wing entry area where visitors place electronics and other belongings before going on tours, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The Secret Service is investigating the matter prompting an evacuation Sunday night. This is ascertain how exactly the substance entered the white house. The White House said. “They’re checking visitor logs and….. looking at cameras. Those are the next steps. Cross-checking,” said the source. An initial test of the substance conducted by the District of Columbia Fire Department soon after it was found indicated it was cocaine, and the additional test took place Tuesday night.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary while making a press briefing said President Biden and his family were not at the white house during the weekend. They were at camp David when the substance was found.
"When it comes to visitors to the West Wing, they come for many reasons, obviously we do have West Wing tours that occur here on campus," she said, adding tours took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
While fielding questions whether anyone had undergone drug testing as part of the investigation, Jean-Pierre said: "We will take any action ... that is appropriate and warranted, pending the outcome of Secret Service."
The Secret Service is not ruling out any White House personnel, guests or visitors. At this point, one leading theory is that the bag was brought in by an individual on a White House tour of the West Wing, according to senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.
Possession of cocaine, which is classified as a "schedule II" drug under the U.S. Controlled Substance Act, is a misdemeanor in Washington, D.C.
