U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), far left, speaks with Lab Director Thomas Blackwell and DEA Forensic Chief Esther Chege. Courtesy photo

LONDONDERRY – U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) recently joined state and local law enforcement as well as officials from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for the opening of the DEA’s new forensic laboratory at 3 Burton Dr.

“After breaking ground on this site two years ago, I am proud to see our new cutting-edge DEA lab open its doors to help law enforcement across New England improve public safety and keep drugs off our streets,” Shaheen said during the Aug. 26 ribbon-cutting event. “This project is the culmination of years of planning that I was proud to support by securing $50 million in federal funding. New England has long needed a drug laboratory to speed up investigations and combat substance misuse in our region, and I look forward to seeing the difference this lab will make in the years ahead.”

Shaheen secured $50 million to help fund the lab’s construction, which began in September 2024. The facility will assist in identifying street drugs, analyzing evidence and reducing police response times. The lab will also be the DEA’s national location for studying fingerprints. It is expected that the facility will process more than 20,000 chemistry and fingerprint specimens each year.

At 46,000 square feet, the lab will create approximately 80 jobs and fulfill Shaheen’s longstanding effort to combat New Hampshire’s opioid epidemic.

“The opening of the DEA New England Laboratory marks a significant advancement in our ability to support drug investigations across New England and upstate New York,” said Frank Tarentino, the DEA’s associate chief of operations for the Northeast. “Having these state-of-the-art forensic capabilities here in the region means our special agents and law enforcement partners can get critical laboratory results faster, allowing investigators to identify dangerous substances, connect evidence to criminal activity, and develop investigative leads more efficiently. As the illicit drug landscape continues to evolve, our ability to quickly identify emerging substances and understand what is appearing in our communities is critical and time sensitive. This new laboratory brings those resources closer to the investigations they support and strengthens our ability to identify, target, and dismantle the drug trafficking organizations responsible for poisoning our neighbors and loved ones.”

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) delivers her remarks during the opening of the new DEA lab in Londonderry on Aug. 26. Courtesy photo

DEA Forensics Chief Esther Chege said the lab is part of the DEA’s “commitment to the American people.”

“This laboratory is a promise that the men and women of the DEA will bring the full power of forensics to the frontline in defense of American lives and deliver a fentanyl free America,” said Chege. “Here in New Hampshire, New England and beyond, DEA Forensics is committed to serve and deliver advanced, reliable and timely forensic information promoting public safety and health. Our science saves lives.”

In June, Shaheen and U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced the Turn the Tide Act, which would lock in more than $65 billion to treat substance abuse for the next 10 years.

In February, Shaheen and U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) co-sponsored the End Veterans Overdose Act designed to provide veterans with easier access to Narcan as no prescription would be needed. In March, the bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

In January of last year, Shaheen joined U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) in introducing the Keeping Drugs Out of School Act. This would allocate $7 million per year for five years to fund educate students about the dangers of synthetic opioids.