The United States Secret Service has confirmed that it "disposed of" cocaine discovered at the White House last year, responding to reports of internal disagreements over its handling. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that the evidence was destroyed according to established retention policies. President Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, have had past issues with cocaine use, adding to the controversy.
The cocaine, found on July 2, 2023, near the Situation Room in a locker for personal items, reportedly had a partial DNA match in a national database.
The Secret Service closed its investigation just 11 days later without interviewing potential suspects, leading to speculation about the case's handling and possible involvement of Biden family members.
The announcement comes amid reports suggesting that President Biden’s then-Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, wanted to destroy the cocaine but faced resistance from within the agency.
According to RealClearPolitics, Cheatle was reportedly frustrated when her request to dispose of the drug was opposed by subordinates who cited protocols requiring evidence to be retained for seven years.
“Cheatle was really pissed off” when her instructions were not followed, reported the New York Post.
Two sources indicated that Cheatle, or someone acting on her behalf, contacted Matt White, the agency’s forensics division vault supervisor, to request the disposal of the evidence.
However, the decision to keep the evidence was upheld by Secret Service forensics division chief Glenn Dennis and Uniformed Division acting chief Richard Macauley.
Cheatle resigned as the head of the Secret Service after former President Trump was shot at during a Pennsylvania rally last month.
Guglielmi did not address specific allegations about the DNA match or the internal opposition to disposing of the cocaine.
The Secret Service’s swift closure of the case and the disposal of the drug have raised questions about the agency’s procedures and motives.
The Secret Service closed its investigation just 11 days later without interviewing potential suspects.
The cocaine discovery near the Biden family area prompted significant speculation, though the White House dismissed such theories as “irresponsible.”
In contrast, the Biden White House took a strict stance against marijuana use among staffers in 2021, resulting in the dismissal of at least five aides despite marijuana’s legal status in many states.
Source: India Today