The Secret Service confirmed Wednesday that a white substance found in the White House that caused a short security alarm was cocaine.
The discovery of the substance in the West Wing on Sunday was initially seen as a potential threat, triggering a brief evacuation.
An initial test of the substance performed by the Washington, DC, fire department then said it appeared to be cocaine — not some sort of threat or attack.
This prompted a flurry of speculation in US media over who could have left the drug. President Joe Biden and his family spent the weekend away from the White House.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the US Secret Service, which protects the White House, said it was “just confirmed that the substance found was cocaine and our investigation is ongoing.”
According to US media reports, the cocaine was found on the ground floor of the West Wing, which includes the Oval Office and other crucial facilities.
It was reportedly found in an area where visitors taking part in White House tours are told to leave their cell phones for security purposes.