Washington [US], July 5: A white powder found inside the White House late on Sunday was identified by Washington's fire department and emergency services as cocaine, a source familiar with the matter said.
The source said the powder was found in the West Wing, but gave no further details.
The West Wing is attached to the executive mansion where President Joe Biden lives. It houses the Oval Office, the cabinet room and press area, and offices and workspace for the president's staff.
Hundreds of people work in or come through the West Wing regularly.
The Secret Service said on Tuesday that an "unknown item" had been found in a workspace within the West Wing on Sunday, leading to the temporary closing of the White House complex.
A second source familiar with the matter said the substance was found during a routine Secret Service sweep of the area.
It was later identified as cocaine.
Biden was not in the White House on Sunday. He and his family returned from a weekend at the presidential retreat Camp David on Tuesday morning.
The Washington Post first reported the discovery.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation
