Dookhan Indicted on 27 Charges

Annie Dookhan, the chemist who stands accused of mishandling evidence in thousands of state drug cases, has been indicted on new charges.

Dookhan was indicted by statewide grand jury on 27 charges today including 17 counts of obstruction of justice, eight counts of tampering with evidence, perjury and falsely pretending to hold a degree from a college or university, according to a press statement from Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

“We allege that Annie Dookhan tampered with drug evidence and fabricated test results on multiple occasions,” Coakley said in the statement. “Her alleged actions have sent ripple effects throughout the criminal justice system. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to fix this situation and restore trust in the criminal justice system.”

Dookhan, 34, will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court Dec. 20, the statement says.

Authorities allege that Dookhan obstructed justice by falsely certifying drug analyses, or causing others to do so, when she knew the results were compromised as a result of her “dry labbing” and tampering with evidence vials, according to the statement.

Several of those convicted on drug charges have been freed as direct result of Dookhan's mishandling of evidence in their cases.

The Hinton Drug Lab, located in Jamaica Plain, was not accredited and had a poor history of oversight. It has since been shut down.

For more information on the state drug lab crisis, check out our topic page.