New Delhi: In a concerning development, the White House was temporarily closed on Sunday evening after the discovery of a suspicious white powder substance believed to be cocaine.
As a precautionary measure, the White House complex was closed at approximately 20:45 local time on Sunday after the discovery. The packet containing the substance was found in a work area within the West Wing. The closure allowed law enforcement authorities, including the Secret Service and the District of Columbia fire department, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Upon initial evaluation, the District of Columbia fire department swiftly determined that the item was non-hazardous. The Secret Service later identified the substance as a yellow bar, indicating it to be cocaine hydrochloride.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi provided a statement to the BBC, confirming that the fire department was promptly called and determined the substance to be “non-hazardous”.
While the initial test results have not been confirmed, Guglielmi mentioned that the item has been sent for additional testing.
According to CBS News, a senior law enforcement source revealed that the substance was found in a storage facility within a cupboard regularly used by White House staff and guests for mobile phone storage. It was reported that the substance tested positive for cocaine soon after its discovery, as confirmed by two law enforcement officials and a recording of a radio dispatch from Sunday.
Cocaine falls under Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act, which denotes its classification as a drug with a high potential for abuse, as stated by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
It is important to note that public tours of the White House typically only include access to the East Wing and Residence, with visitors typically not granted entry to the West Wing. The West Wing, a significant section of the White House, encompasses multiple levels and serves as the location for various offices, including those of the President, the Vice President, the White House Chief of Staff, the Press Secretary, and numerous other staff members with authorized access.
Fortunately, US President Joe Biden and his family were away at the Camp David residence when the substance was discovered.