By Steve Neavling
The Secret Service concluded its investigation into the discovery of cocaine found in the White House earlier this month, saying it was unable to identify a suspect.
“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 Secret Service said in a statement Thursday. “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.”
The baggie was discovered in an area of the West Wing lobby where visitors and staff members often pass through during the day. At night and on the weekends, the area is used by staff members who bring relatives or friends to the White House for a tour.
The small plastic envelope was found near an area where security screens guests and where phones are left in small cubbies.
The area is so frequently used that investigators earlier said it would likely be difficult to identify who was responsible for the cocaine.
When the baggie was discovered, President Biden and his family were at Camp David.
The FBI tested the bag for DNA and fingerprints, but there wasn’t enough of either to draw any conclusions.
Although agents had gathered the names of several hundred people who were near the area, there was no surveillance footage, the Secret Service said.
