Topline
Cocaine was found Sunday near an area of the White House’s West Wing where public tours are conducted, officials reportedly said Wednesday, as the Secret Service is working to determine who brought the substance into the building.
The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David … [+]
Key Facts
Preliminary tests indicated a white powder discovered in the building over the weekend was cocaine, and the results were confirmed in a subsequent lab test, law enforcement officials told multiple outlets Wednesday.
The cocaine was discovered near an area where visitors are asked to leave their cellphones before touring the building, according to the Washington Post and other outlets.
The building was briefly evacuated Sunday when Secret Service personnel conducting routine sweeps of the building discovered the substance in a small, zipped bag, CNN reported, citing sources.
Key Background
The discovery was first reported Tuesday after news outlets heard D.C. fire personnel who responded to the incident discussing the substance on publicly available radio dispatch, and the Secret Service confirmed the finding. President Joe Biden was at Camp David at the time and not in the White House.
What We Don’t Know
Who brought the drugs into the building. The public undergoes security screening before touring the complex, often at night and on the weekends.
Further Reading
Cocaine Found In White House (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/07/05/cocaine-found-in-white-house-near-area-accessible-to-tour-groups/