The United States Secret Service discovered a mysterious white power at the White House on Sunday, which resulted in a brief evacuation, law enforcement officials confirmed.A USSS spokesperson told American outlet Fox News that an unknown item – described in Washington Post reports as a white powder – was discovered by Secret Service officers on Sunday.“U.S. Secret Service Uniform Division Officers located an unknown item on the White House complex,” Anthony Guglielmi, USSS spokesperson said.“As a precaution, the White House grounds were evacuated, and the DC Fire Departments Hazmat team responded.”The USSS contacted the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, and a hazmat team was called out to the area of 18th St and Pennsylvania Ave to analyse the unidentified powder.🚨#UPDATE: DC Fire Hazmat officials reports they have found a substance that tests positive for Cocaine Hydrochloride near the White House— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 3, 2023The Secret Service temporarily closed all roads leading to the White House, which was lifted after preliminary tests – which clarified that the item was non-hazardous – were completed.Probe ongoing to find out how mysterious substance entered White HouseAccording to Anthony Guglielmi, President Joe Biden was not present at the White House when the white powder was discovered. The powder was discovered during routine inspection rounds conducted by members of the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service.The discovery triggered a security alert, and the Executive Mansion was briefly evacuated.HAZMAT crews behind the gates on West Executive outside the entrance to the West Wing. pic.twitter.com/rqDRCjZVvi— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) July 3, 2023The authorities have started an investigation into the cause and manner of the white powders entry inside the White House complex, according to Mr Guglielmi. He added that the DC Fire Department has determined that the powder did not pose a threat to the public.Mystery powder in White House might be cocaineAlthough the USSS did not disclose what the mysterious white powder was, an audio dispatch from a DC fire unit obtained by the Washington Post claimed that the powder is cocaine.Washington, D.C. – United States Secret Service and DC Fire Department investigating a hazmat incident at the White House, July 2, 2023 – 8:31 PM@dcfireems @SecretService pic.twitter.com/oLwcHVXPow— Anthony Peltier (@_anthonypeltier) July 3, 2023The audio dispatch from a DC fire unit, recorded by a fireman from the DC Hazmat squad and timestamped at 8:49 PM local time, said “Theres a yellow bar that says cocaine hydrochloride”.An unnamed official involved in the investigation revealed that the powder was small in quantity.
