News Releases

Prairies Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EDMONTON, AB, September 8, 2006 - Correctional officers and the drug dog detection team at Edmonton Institution have prevented a large quantity of drugs being smuggled into the institution.

Officers were conducting a routine visitor search on August 31 when a drug detector dog indicated the presence of drugs on a female visitor.

The visitor turned over a large quantity of drugs. Institutional value of the drugs is estimated at $44,000.

Edmonton Police Service has been notified of the seizure.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is committed to a zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs. CSC uses a combination of screening techniques for visitors and dynamic security provided by correctional officers to combat the introduction and use of illegal drugs in federal correctional facilities. The use of a drug detection dog team and an ion scan machine at the main entrance can detect drugs that are on or have been in contact with visitors.

Edmonton Institution is a maximum security facility operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. It is located in Edmonton, Alberta and currently houses a population of 220 male inmates.

Edmonton Institution operates a tip line for people with information on attempts to introduce contraband into the institution. The tip line number is (780) 472-4915.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Rick Dyhm
780-472-6052