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Cocaine found in the White House was in a different location than
previously reported, sources say
The sources maintain that the area is highly trafficked, in keeping with
the White House press secretary’s characterization Wednesday.

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July 6, 2023, 10:08 AM PDT
By Kelly O'Donnell and Megan Lebowitz
WASHINGTON — Multiple officials involved in the White House cocaine
inquiry now say the bag of powder was found in a cubby near the White
House's West Executive entrance, not the formal West Wing lobby, as was
previously reported.

Investigators expect to be done with the investigation by Monday, said
two sources familiar with the investigation. The inquiry had previously
been expected to take a couple of weeks.

In updating where the cocaine was found, officials said that area was
also heavily trafficked.

The cocaine was found in an entrance area between the foyer and a
lower-level lobby, the sources said. The entrance is near where some
vehicles, like the vice president’s limo or SUV, park. It is one floor
below the main West Wing offices and on the same floor as the Situation
Room and a dining area.

The White House in Washington, D.C. on June 25, 2023.
The White House on June 25.Samuel Corum / Getty Images
Forensic work on the cocaine bag continued Thursday, though officials
are setting low expectations that they will be able to identify who left it.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to answer when she was asked
at Wednesday's briefing which of the two West Wing entrances was
involved, saying she would let the Secret Service address that.

The sources maintain that the area is highly trafficked, in keeping with
Jean-Pierre's characterization Wednesday. The area is transited by VIPs,
visitors, tourists, staff members, military officials and facilities
operations employees.

"What I wanted to be very clear is that this is a heavily, heavily
trafficked, heavily traveled, to be more accurate, area of the campus of
the White House," Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. "It is where
visitors to the West Wing come through.”

"This is under the purview of the Secret Service," she said. "They are
currently investigating what happened over the weekend. So I would have
to refer you to the Secret Service, the Secret Service, on all of this."

Officers found the cocaine during a routine patrol, a Secret Service
official said. The substance tested positive for cocaine at a lab Wednesday.

President Joe Biden and his family were at the presidential retreat at
Camp David, Maryland, not the White House, when officers discovered the
cocaine.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., sent a letter Wednesday asking Secret Service
Director Kimberly Cheatle for more information about the investigation.
Secret Service officials say they have received the letter and will
respond.

Kelly O'Donnell
Kelly O’Donnell is Senior White House correspondent for NBC News.

Megan Lebowitz
Megan Lebowitz is based in the Washington bureau. She has written about
breaking politics news and U.S.-China relations.