DEA Breaks Ground on New Laboratory in New Hampshire
State-of-the-Art facility will benefit drug investigations throughout New England
LONDONDERRY, NH –The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was joined today by U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, Jane Young, representatives from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), New England HIDTA, the New Hampshire Department of Safety, the Town of Londonderry, and members of the New Hampshire federal congressional delegation, to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art DEA Laboratory in Londonderry.
The New England Lab will be the eighth regional DEA laboratory and will specialize in both drug chemistry and latent fingerprint identification. Once fully operational and staffed, the lab will employ more than 50 people. DEA expects to analyze more than 5,000 drug exhibits a year at the permanent facility.
The data provided by real-time evidence analysis is used to prosecute drug crimes while also allowing DEA to identify new and emerging trends. A smaller, temporary lab is currently being used and has enabled the DEA Manchester District Office to respond to drug threats quicker. DEA Manchester has seized more than 100 pounds of fentanyl year-to-date, which equates to nearly 4.7 million deadly doses of fentanyl.
“Synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, are a dangerous and deadly threat facing the United States – modern forensic laboratories staffed by highly trained chemists help protect our communities,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The New Hampshire laboratory will analyze evidence that will be used to defeat the two cartels responsible for thousands of drug poisonings across the country and will help us stay ahead of emerging drug threats and save lives. The DEA is grateful for the support of our state and federal law enforcement partners as well as the support from congress that made this lab a reality.”
“This state-of-the-art laboratory will serve the entire New England region with quick analysis on seizures, which will lead to drug trafficking organizations being dismantled at a quicker rate,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge, Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division. “Additionally, emerging drug threats will be identified faster leading to a more knowledgeable and safer public at large.”
The New England Field Division covers New Hampshire as well as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. The New England Lab will also provide forensic analysis for drug investigations throughout upstate New York.
The United States finds itself facing the nation’s deadliest drug crisis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fatal drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. More than 70% of drug-related deaths involve fentanyl, while nearly 30% involve methamphetamine.
DEA continues to use every available asset to combat the synthetic drug threat. This includes taking steps to strategically place satellite laboratories, like the one in New Hampshire, to increase the timeliness of forensic analyses and provide critical support for on-going investigations.
“GSA is proud to support the DEA on this critically important construction project,” Region 1 Public Buildings Service Commissioner Glenn C. Rotondo said. “This new state-of-the-art leased facility will assist the DEA in continuing to optimize their mission.”
DEA currently has seven regional laboratories that are responsible for analyzing drug evidence from DEA, FBI, ATF, DHS, and state and local partners. Given the volume of evidence and time associated with transportation to these regional locations, pivoting to satellite locations is expected to improve the analysis time in high impact areas.
“DEA’s Office of Forensic Sciences plays an integral role in this fight to save lives by providing quality scientific, technical and administrative support to our law enforcement partners and the intelligence communities,” said DEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Scott Oulton. “Breaking ground in New Hampshire has been years in the making. The reality of this project provides the blueprint to expand DEA’s unique and critical forensic capabilities across the country.”
DEA appreciates the role congressional appropriators played in securing funding for the Londonderry Lab in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The lab is expected to open in April 2026.
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