Police are seen outside the White House grounds, Sunday night, July 2, 2023 in Washington. The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David after the Secret Service discovered suspicious powder in a common area of the West Wing, and a preliminary test showed the substance was cocaine, two law enforcement officials said Tuesday. (Anthony Peltier via AP)
WASHINGTON –
No fingerprints or DNA turned up on the baggie of cocaine found in a lobby at the White House last week despite a sophisticated FBI crime lab analysis, and surveillance footage of the area didn’t identify a suspect, according to a summary of the Secret Service investigation obtained by The Associated Press. There are no leads on who brought the drugs into the building.
U.S. Secret Service agents found the white powder during a routine White House sweep on July 2, in a heavily trafficked West Wing lobby where staff go in and out, and tour groups gather to drop their phones and other belongings.
“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,” Secret Service officials said in the summary.
It’s most likely the bag was left behind by one of the hundreds of visitors who traveled in and out of the building over the weekend, according to a person familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to talk about an ongoing probe and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The presence of cocaine at the White House prompted a flurry of criticism and questions from Republicans, who received a closed briefing Thursday on the results of the investigation.
“There is no equal justice,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday. “Anything revolving around ‘Biden, Inc.’ gets treated different than any other American and that’s got to stop.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden believed it was “incredibly important” for the Secret Service to get to the bottom of how the drugs ended up in the White House. The Secret Service is responsible for securing the White House and led the investigation.
Biden wasn’t there at the time of the discovery. He was at Camp David with members of his family for the holiday weekend.
The complex was briefly evacuated as a precaution when the white powder was found. The fire department was called in to test the substance on the spot to determine whether it was hazardous, and the initial test came back negative for a biohazard but positive for cocaine.
The bag was sent for a secondary, more sensitive lab analysis. Homeland Security’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center analyzed the item for any biothreats. Tests conducted at the facility came back negative.
The cocaine and packaging underwent further forensics testing, including advanced fingerprint and DNA work at the FBI’s crime laboratory, according to the summary. The FBI also did chemical testing.
Meanwhile, Secret Service investigators put together a list of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the drugs were found. Anyone who comes through the White House must give identifying information and pass through security before entering.
But the lab results didn’t turn up latent fingerprints or DNA, so agents can’t compare anything to the possible suspect pool. White House staff are fingerprinted; participants in tour groups are not.
Video of the West Executive street lobby entrance did not identify the person or provide any solid investigative leads, the Secret Service said.
The lobby is open to staff-led tours of the West Wing, which are scheduled for nonworking hours on the weekends and evenings. Those tours are invitation-only and led by White House staff for friends, family and other guests. Most staffers who work in the complex can request an evening or weekend tour slot, but there is often a long wait list. There were tours on the day, a Sunday, the drugs were found, as well as on the two preceding days.
The Situation Room, located in the West Wing, where staffers would also drop their phones before entering, has been undergoing construction work and was not in use at the time the baggie was found, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week.
Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
In a shocking turn of events, the White House finds itself entangled in a mysterious case of disappearing evidence. The Secret Service, known for their impeccable security measures, has been left puzzled as they struggle to explain the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the vanishing clues. With no fingerprints, DNA samples, or leads from cocaine found, this perplexing incident has captured the attention of the nation.
The White House, often considered one of the most secure locations in the world, is renowned for its tight security protocols. The Secret Service, responsible for protecting the President and maintaining the safety of the premises, is known for their rigorous training and attention to detail. However, this recent incident has left them baffled and searching for answers.
It all started when a routine inspection uncovered a discrepancy. Evidence of cocaine, typically meticulously cataloged and secured, seemed to have vanished without a trace. The absence of any fingerprints or DNA samples further deepened the mystery. How could such a high-profile location experience a disappearance of evidence with seemingly no leads?
As news of the incident broke, speculation and theories began to circulate. Some wondered if this was an inside job, a carefully orchestrated plan to undermine the credibility of the White House. Others suggested that it could be the work of a sophisticated criminal organization, capable of eluding even the most advanced security measures. The absence of any concrete evidence only fueled these speculations, leaving the public intrigued and hungry for answers.
The Secret Service, known for their secrecy and discretion, launched a full-scale investigation into the matter. Agents meticulously combed through surveillance footage, interviewed staff members, and analyzed every detail of the crime scene. However, the more they delved into the case, the more elusive the answers became.
The disappearance of evidence at the White House posed not only a security concern but also raised questions about the integrity of the institution itself. How could a place so meticulously guarded suffer from such a blatant breach? The public demanded transparency and accountability, urging the authorities to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the truth.
As the investigation continued, experts from various fields were brought in to offer their insights. Forensic scientists examined the crime scene, searching for any overlooked clues that could shed light on the enigma. Psychologists analyzed the behavior of individuals connected to the incident, trying to unravel their motivations and potential involvement. The Secret Service left no avenue unexplored in their quest for answers.
Days turned into weeks, and the mystery seemed no closer to being solved. The disappearance of evidence at the White House had become a national fascination, dominating headlines and sparking conversations across social media platforms. Memes, conspiracy theories, and wild speculation flooded the internet as people attempted to make sense of the inexplicable.
Finally, after months of relentless investigation, a breakthrough occurred. A previously unnoticed surveillance camera angle revealed a shadowy figure entering the evidence room during the hours leading up to the disappearance. With this newfound lead, the Secret Service intensified their efforts to identify and apprehend the mysterious intruder.
The nation held its breath as the identity of the culprit was unveiled. In a dramatic turn of events, it was revealed that the disappearance of evidence was not an act of sabotage or an elaborate criminal scheme. Instead, it was an inside job carried out by a disgruntled staff member who sought to tarnish the reputation of the White House. Motivated by personal grievances and disillusionment, this individual had managed to evade detection and cover their tracks until the surveillance footage exposed their involvement.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the nation. It exposed vulnerabilities within the White House security system and raised questions about the level of trust that can be placed in those responsible for protecting the highest office in the land. The incident served as a wake-up call, prompting a comprehensive review of security protocols and the implementation of enhanced measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The Secret Service, determined to restore faith in their ability to safeguard the White House, vowed to learn from this incident and make the necessary changes. The enigmatic disappearance of evidence had been solved, but its impact would resonate for years to come. It served as a reminder that even the most fortified institutions can face unexpected challenges, and that constant vigilance and adaptation are crucial in maintaining security.
As the nation moved forward, the White House incident would be remembered as a cautionary tale—a reminder that even in the halls of power, mysteries can unfold and the truth can remain elusive. The Secret Service had unraveled the enigma, but the scars left by this incident would forever shape their approach to protecting the symbol of American democracy.
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Incorporate expert quotes: Reach out to forensic scientists, security experts, or law enforcement professionals to gather their insights on the matter. Including their quotes will provide expert opinions and perspectives, making the article more informative and engaging.
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Include a timeline: Provide a chronological account of the investigation, detailing the major breakthroughs, setbacks, and key moments in the unraveling of the enigma. This helps structure the article and adds a sense of progression and suspense.
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Conclude with a thought-provoking statement: Wrap up the article with a compelling closing paragraph that reflects on the broader implications of the case. For example, emphasize the importance of constant vigilance and adaptability in safeguarding institutions, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.