Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
A substance found in the White House on Sunday night has tested positive for cocaine, as stated in a dispatch call made during the incident. The white powdery substance was discovered during a routine sweep.
President Joseph R. Biden Jr. was not present at the White House during the incident but was at Camp David.
Following the incident, the White House was temporarily evacuated, and a Hazmat team was called in due to the discovery of an “unknown item.”
Some reports quoted secret service sources as saying the white substance was found in a ‘work area’ in the West Wing, while others quoted the dispatch recording as stating it was found in a library.
The cocaine was allegedly in a “baggie,” a small plastic bag or pouch commonly used for storing and transporting small items, particularly drugs or other illicit substances.
It is unclear how long the cocaine had been in the White House before it was discovered by the secret service, which is still investigating. The discovery has raised concerns among President Biden’s staff and visitors.
The White House has not issued a statement on the incident.
The White House West Wing refers to one of the two main wings of the White House, the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. The West Wing houses the offices and working spaces of the President’s staff, including the Oval Office, where the President typically conducts official duties and meetings. It is the primary location for the President’s executive office, housing key departments such as the Office of the Chief of Staff, the National Security Council, the Press Secretary’s office, and other administrative offices. The West Wing is often associated with the day-to-day operations and decision-making processes of the President and their immediate staff.
The White House library primarily grants access to White House staff, including the President and their immediate staff, and members of the Executive Office of the President. It serves as a working library that provides resources for research and information related to the President’s duties and responsibilities. Additionally, authorized researchers, scholars, and historians may be granted access to the White House library on a case-by-case basis, typically through arrangements made with the White House Historical Association or the National Archives and Records Administration.
Authorities are currently investigating how the cocaine made its way into the White House.