By Colleen Long and Michael Balsamo | Associated Press
A recent Secret Service investigation at the White House revealed that a baggie of cocaine found in a lobby last week did not yield any fingerprints or DNA evidence, despite a comprehensive analysis by the FBI crime lab. Surveillance footage from the area also failed to identify a suspect. The source of the drugs remains unknown.
U.S. Secret Service agents discovered the white powder during a routine sweep of the heavily trafficked West Wing lobby on July 2. This area is frequented by staff and tour groups, who often leave their belongings behind temporarily.
In their investigation summary, Secret Service officials stated, “Without physical evidence, it is impossible to identify a person of interest among the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered.”
A confidential source familiar with the ongoing investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, suggested that it is likely the bag was mistakenly left behind by one of the numerous visitors who entered and exited the building over the weekend.
The discovery of cocaine within the White House has triggered criticism and questions from Republicans. On Thursday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed his concerns regarding unequal treatment, stating, “There is no equal justice. Anything revolving around ‘Biden, Inc.’ gets treated differently than any other American, and that has to stop.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre conveyed President Joe Biden’s belief in the importance of the Secret Service thoroughly investigating how the drugs ended up within the White House. The Secret Service, responsible for securing the premises, led the investigation.
Notably, President Biden was not present at the time of the discovery. He was spending the holiday weekend at Camp David with his family.
As a precautionary measure, the complex was briefly evacuated upon the finding of the white powder. The substance was tested on-site by the fire department to determine if it posed a biohazard. While the initial test ruled out biothreats, it confirmed the presence of cocaine.
The baggie was subsequently subjected to secondary analysis by Homeland Security’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, which yielded negative results for biothreats. Furthermore, the FBI’s crime laboratory conducted advanced fingerprint and DNA testing on the cocaine and its packaging, alongside chemical analysis.
Simultaneously, Secret Service investigators compiled a list of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area in question. Entry into the White House requires providing identifying information and passing through security protocols.
Despite these efforts, the lab results failed to produce any usable fingerprints or DNA evidence for comparison among the potential suspects. It is worth noting that only White House staff members are fingerprinted, while visitors on staff-led tours are not.
The Secret Service confirmed that the video footage from the lobby entrance did not offer any substantive investigative leads or identify the individual responsible.
The West Wing lobby is accessible during scheduled, nonworking-hour staff-led tours, which are invitation-only for friends, family, and other guests. Although most complex employees may request an evening or weekend slot for tours, there is typically a lengthy waitlist. Tours took place on the Sunday when the drugs were found, as well as on the two preceding days.
Additionally, national security adviser Jake Sullivan clarified that the West Wing’s Situation Room, where individuals often leave their phones, was inactive due to ongoing construction work at the time of the discovery.
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
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