A usual Sunday evening in the White House turned into hysteria when an unidentified item was spotted on the government premises. The authorities were alerted immediately, sealing the perimeters to avoid any interference in the investigation.
As a matter of national security, the US Secret Service blocked the streets around the West Wing of the White House. Barricades were installed in areas near 17th and 18th Street, Ellipse, Lafayette Park, and Pennsylvania Avenue.
What could be the reason for such drastic measures? What exactly was the substance found? Here are all the details on the “case of an alien matter in White House.”
What Did They Find In the White House?
During a routine inspection of the White House, an unusual substance was found in the common area of the West Wing. The Uniform Division Officers of USSS were alerted, and upon preliminary inspection, they declared a “precautionary closure” of the White House.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi issued a statement.
“On Sunday evening, the White House complex went into a precautionary closure as officers from the Secret Service uniformed division investigated an unknown item found inside a work area.”
“The DC fire department was called to evaluate and quickly determined the item to be non-hazardous. The item was sent for further evaluation, and an investigation into the cause and manner of how it entered the White House is pending.”
Since the material was unidentified, additional resources were deployed, including the DC Fire Department’s Hazmat team for further inspection of the material and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in case someone gets in contact with the unknown substance.
In an inaudible yet comprehensible dispatch audio, a firefighter with the DC department’s Hazmat team revealed preliminary information on the substance and said, “We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride,” after determining the test results.
Was President Biden In The White House During The Hazmat Incident?
President Biden was not present in the White House when this news broke out. The Biden family went out to Camp David on Friday. They are supposed to return on Tuesday.
President Biden was scheduled to address the National Teachers’ Union. And he is also making an appearance for a BBQ event during the Fourth of July celebrations of Independence Day.
According to the official statements and radio dispatch, there are two different inferences. The USSS reported that the substance was found in the “work area” of the West Wing, which includes an executive mansion, oval office, cabinet room, and press area. This area is the hotspot for daily activities and briefings between the president and the immediate staff.
However, the initial responses, as heard in the audio, suggest that the substance was found in the White House library. This area is accessible to the immediate staff, Executive Office members, authorized researchers, scholars, and historians. National Archives and Records Administration organizes this monitored access.
So far, there are no affirmative reports on who is responsible for the substance on the premises.
What Is Cocaine Hydrochloride Used For?
Now the question is– how did such a hard drug like cocaine get into the highly secured White House? Isn’t this illegal?
Well, the answers lie in a grey area, considering the precise substance found in the area is cocaine hydrochloride.
What Is Cocaine Hydrochloride?
This solution is used for medical purposes, typically used as a local anesthetic that stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). This nasal solution numbs the mucous membrane inside the nose before an intense surgery or mild medical procedures.
Difference Between Crack Cocaine and Cocaine Hydrochloride.
Crack cocaine is the raw form of the substance with a cocaine base. Whereas cocaine hydrochloride is converted to base prior to use. But studies confirm that the physiological and psychoactive effects of both forms are similar.
The only difference is that intranasal use of cocaine hydrochloride is relatively mild compared to the severe consequences of smoking crack cocaine or injecting cocaine hydrochloride intravenously, including greater abuse liability and a greater propensity for dependence.
Only further investigation will reveal the purpose, who it belongs to, and the subsequent actions.
However, the White House has been susceptible to controversies in the past few months, including an inappropriate exhibit by a member of the LGBTQ+ community during the pride celebrations.
Seems like the Biden Administration is in for a wild ride of four years.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think an insider is responsible, or is it a deliberate attempt to tarnish reputation?
Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
