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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Politics
Edward Helmore and agency

US Secret Service investigating as cocaine reportedly found in White House

The White House at night
The executive mansion was evacuated briefly after the cocaine was found during a routine inspection. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

A preliminary field test on a white substance found in the White House has reportedly come up positive for cocaine, law enforcement authorities said, and the US Secret Service was investigating on Tuesday how it came to be at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The presence of the substance – which has been sent out for further testing – came to light late on Monday when a firefighter with the Washington DC fire department’s hazardous materials team radioed: “We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride,” the Washington Post first reported.

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