The United States Secret Service (USSS) has apparently concluded its investigation into a bag of cocaine found within the West Wing of the White House.
Despite what is being described as a meticulous examination of hundreds of individuals who had access to the area and a thorough analysis of security systems, the investigators claim they were unable to identify a suspect.
The USSS’s statement asserted that “security systems” were checked and “several hundreds individuals” indexed, yet, apparently, no potential suspect was identified, according to CNN.
The FBI’s laboratory testing was apparently also unable to find any fingerprints or sufficient DNA from the bag’s packaging, meaning that “the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals.”
The bag was discovered in a cubby by the lower-level entrance of the West Wing.
But pinpointing the exact moment or day of the bag’s placement apparently proved challenging for the investigators.
The agency claimed, “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.”
Due to the reported lack of direct surveillance on the cubbies near the lower-level entrance and the absence of any physical evidence, it is being said that the investigation cannot proceed further.
“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 statement added.
The bag of cocaine was found in an area where visitors are usually asked to leave their phones during tours.
The cubbies are also used by staff who are restricted from bringing their phones into sensitive areas, such as the SCIF, or sensitive compartmented information facility.
The find had led to a short evacuation and precautionary closures.
The case was also presented before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
On exiting the briefing, GOP Rep. Tim Burchett told CNN that the investigation was “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” expressing disbelief over the inability to identify a suspect despite stringent security measures in place.
Burchett also suggested that this oversight should cost someone their job.
GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene mentioned that the Secret Service had shortlisted 500 potential suspects but wouldn’t be conducting any drug tests.
GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert clarified that this list comprised both staff and visitors.
She also mentioned that the key to the locker where the cocaine was found, locker number 50, was missing.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace noted that the Secret Service had to acquire visitor logs and other information from the Biden administration through the Presidential Records Act, since the locker fell under the administration’s jurisdiction, per CNN.
She and other members highlighted the need for a more secure locker system.
