Nearly three years after a small bag of cocaine was discovered inside the White House complex, newly released photos are shedding light on the evidence, though the identity of the person responsible remains unknown.
The images show a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance stored inside cubby #50, located near an entrance to the West Wing. This cubby area is typically used during guided tours, where visitors are instructed to leave behind their phones and personal belongings before entering more secure parts of the building. Because of this process, the area sees significant foot traffic from both guests and staff.
The substance was first found on July 2, 2023. At the time, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were not at the White House, as both were away from Washington. As a precautionary measure, officials briefly closed off parts of the complex while emergency personnel evaluated the situation. Initial testing by the D.C. Fire Department ruled out any biological hazard and confirmed the substance was cocaine.
The U.S. Secret Service immediately launched an investigation and determined that the bag had been left in a location accessible to a large number of people. Although tours in that section are typically organized and supervised, officials noted that hundreds of individuals could have passed through the area around the time the cocaine was discovered. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras did not reveal a suspect or provide any clear leads.
According to internal communications later obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the FBI quickly assumed custody of the substance, which was transported to its laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for advanced analysis. The bag and its packaging underwent extensive forensic testing, including DNA analysis, fingerprint examination, and chemical verification. Additional testing by Homeland Security agencies ensured the substance posed no broader threat.
Despite these efforts, investigators were unable to recover usable fingerprints or DNA evidence. Authorities also could not determine exactly when the cocaine had been placed in the cubby, further complicating the investigation.
On July 12, 2023, just 11 days after the discovery, the Secret Service officially closed the case, citing a lack of physical evidence and inconclusive surveillance footage. The decision prompted criticism from some lawmakers, who raised concerns about security procedures within the White House.
While the newly released photos provide a clearer view of where the cocaine was found, they do not resolve the central question that has persisted since the incident first drew national attention: who brought the cocaine into the White House.
