Secret Service ends White House cocaine investigation, no suspect identified

The Secret Service concluded its investigation Thursday into a bag of cocaine found in the White House without identifying any suspects, according to a statement from the agency. 

Last week, a bag with a white powdery substance was found in the West Wing of the White House by members of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service that were conducting routine rounds. The finding of the substance prompted an evacuation of the complex as a precaution while authorities determined its contents.  

The agency said it reviewed the security system at the White House and questioned several individuals about the incident but was unable to identify the culprit. The Secret Service also said that the cocaine package did not have any fingerprints or enough DNA to match it to its owner. 

“Therefore, the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals,” a statement from the USSS said.

Additionally, the Secret Service said it was unable to identify particularly when the bag was left in the White House before it was discovered. 

“There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area,” the agency’s statement said. 

The leading theory behind the bag of cocaine is that it was left behind by one of the visitors who were on a tour of the White House that weekend, according to a source familiar with the investigation. 

The cocaine was found in an area with cubbies, where visitors are asked to leave their phones before the tour. However, the cubbies can also be used by staff who are not allowed to take their phones to sensitive meetings. 

“Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service’s investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence,” it continued.