The United States Secret Service is conducting an investigation following the discovery of cocaine at the White House on Sunday (02) night. The illicit substance was found in the West Wing, which houses critical working areas such as the Oval Office and offices for presidential aides and staff, leading to a brief evacuation of the premises.
During a routine inspection accessible to tour groups, Secret Service agents stumbled upon the suspicious powder. At the time, President Joe Biden and his family were situated at Camp David in Maryland, away from the White House.
A senior law enforcement official informed CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, that the substance was located in a storage facility regularly used by White House staff and guests to store mobile phones. As a precautionary measure, the White House complex was temporarily closed around 8:45 PM local time (12:45 AM GMT) upon the discovery.
Subsequent testing confirmed the substance to be cocaine, a Schedule II drug according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, indicating its high potential for abuse. The Secret Service will initiate a comprehensive review to determine how the illicit substance made its way into the White House. Officials stated that examination of security cameras and entrance logs will help identify individuals who had access to the area where the cocaine was found.
The West Wing, a multi-level section of the White House, serves as the workspace for the President of the United States, encompassing the Oval Office and the Situation Room. It also accommodates offices for the Vice President, White House Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, and numerous staff members who require access to the area.
