Suspected cocaine inside White House residence forces evacuations

A white powdery substance believed to be cocaine was found in the White House on Sunday evening by the U.S. Secret Service, prompting a short evacuation. Preliminary testing has shown that the substance might be cocaine, law enforcement officials said on Tuesday. 

Members of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service were conducting their routine rounds in the West Wing when they found the white powder in an area accessible to tour groups at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, reported The Associated Press, citing two officials who were unauthorized to speak about the investigation. 

The area was listed as a library in the residence area of the complex where the president lives and his highest ranking staff members work. 

At around 8:45 p.m., the complex was evacuated and closed as a precaution while the substance was investigated. 

The D.C. fire and emergency crews arrived at the White House to conduct a test to identify the substance. Preliminary results reported by radio communication at 8:49 p.m. indicated it was cocaine. 

“We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride,” an official said on a dispatch at around 8:49 p.m. after conducting the test.

The substance was sent for further testing and the White House was reopened after the fire department determined that the substance did not pose a threat. 

“The item was sent for further evaluation and an investigation into the cause and manner of how it entered the White House is pending,” said Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service.

When asked if there had been tours last weekend, the Secret Service responded by saying: "These are details that are pertinent to our investigation and not something we can get into."

President Joe Biden and his family were not at the White House at the time of the incident. They had left for Camp David in Maryland on Friday and did not return to Washington, D.C. until Tuesday.