Edmonton
City of Edmonton and University of Alberta named first Canadian members in MetroLab Network
September 19, 2019
The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta have joined the MetroLab network, an exclusive group of international city-university partnerships that help solve some of municipalities’ greatest challenges.
“The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta have an extensive history of working together for the benefit of our city and region,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “It’s a great opportunity to join a network of researchers to help create technological advancements that will benefit our community and the personal wellness of our residents.”
MetroLab, a network of more than 40 city-university partnerships, announced the City of Edmonton and University of Alberta as their first Canadian partners, joining Glasgow, Liverpool and Bristol as the newest members. Members of MetroLab have unique access to information-sharing and innovative research towards solving municipal challenges.
“Along with the City of Edmonton, the University of Alberta is proud to be the first Canadian city-university partnership to join the international MetroLab Network,” added David Turpin, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Alberta. “Starting with our combined research efforts in areas related to smart city infrastructure, transportation and elder care, we will develop ideas, technologies and innovations that not only transform our city, but cities worldwide.”
The city-university MetroLab projects focus on connected buildings, connected people and connected vehicles. New technologies will aid in the development of smart buildings during design and construction, and help to improve facility operations and decrease operating costs. For instance, by deploying sensors in its buildings, the City aims to collect data about building performance to optimize energy use and minimize environmental impact, saving money in energy costs.
A second project, Project ANA, is developing a conversational Automated Nursing Agent for tablets and other devices, meant to help increase connectivity and well-being for independent elderly residents. By providing conversation, answering questions and reminding users of schedules and appointments, ANA will help residents to live independently while connecting them to the information and social interaction they need.
Work will also continue on the ACTIVE advanced transportation technologies project, including wireless vehicle communications, to improve the safety and movement of people and goods. Their research includes the development of pedestrian detection sensors. This project is part of an overall research portfolio that works toward improvements in traffic safety.
MetroLab will share these projects with its members and the City and University will now be able to more easily access information and expertise from other municipalities and institutions.
News release from ALERT (The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team)
Nearly $2.5 million in drugs and cash was seized from a southwest Edmonton condo building. A warrant has been issued for an Edmonton man.
ALERT Edmonton’s organized crime team made the seizure on October 9, 2024 after searching an address in the Windermere neighbourhood. The Edmonton Police Service helped with the search warrant execution.
ALERT seized an estimated $2.3 million worth of drugs, which included:
- 17.7 kilograms of cocaine;
- 5.3 kilograms of MDMA;
- 950 grams of methamphetamine;
- 3.1 kilograms of ketamine;
- 5 kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms;
- 20,000 oxycodone pills;
- 4,705 illicit prescription pills;
- $41,000 cash.
ALERT searched the address following an investigation that dates back to June 2024. Investigators developed information about a high-level drug trafficker operating in the Edmonton area with a number of supply lines.
The drug seizure marks ALERT’s largest since a record bust earlier in the year. In August, 27 kilograms of cocaine were seized from a west Edmonton home. The two investigations are unrelated.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Minh Nguyen. The 36-year-old Edmonton man is wanted on charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and possession of counterfeit money.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police.
The investigation began in June 2024 after ALERT received information about a drug supplier based in the Edmonton area. ALERT alleges Nguyen was supplying other drug dealers in Edmonton and northern Alberta communities.
Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.
News release from the Edmonton Police Service
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has seized more than 66 kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin in a large-scale drug investigation in central Edmonton.
In December 2023, members of the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Section (EDGE) initiated an inter-provincial drug trafficking investigation.
During the investigation, three male suspects were noted to be involved in various aspects of inter-provincial drug trafficking, including transporting drugs into and out of Alberta, as well as distributing them throughout Edmonton, including the inner-city community. A storage location for the drugs was located in a central Edmonton high rise apartment.
On May 9, 2024, police executed search warrants at three residences and four vehicles. As a result of the search warrants, EDGE members seized:
- 55.7 kg of methamphetamine, worth approximately $250,650
- 8.7 kg of cocaine, worth approximately $696,000
- 2.5 kg of fentanyl, worth approximately $300,000
- 83.5 grams of heroin, worth approximately $28,400
- 20 kg of buffing agent
- Five handguns, three of which were loaded at the time of seizure and two of which had defaced serial numbers. Two were also reported stolen in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and one originated from the U.S.
- Four vehicles with hidden compartments
- Approximately $20,000 in various currency
Drugs and firearms located in one of EPS’ largest-ever drug seizures
“This investigation is believed to be one of the largest, if not the largest, seizure of controlled substances in EPS history,” says Staff Sergeant David Paton, with the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Section. “Intercepting this huge volume of extremely harmful street drugs before they wreak havoc in our city is a rewarding outcome for our investigators, who have worked tirelessly for months on this operation.”
Jesse Koble, 29, is facing 27 charges, Mitchell Steeg, 31, is charged with nine offences, and Steven Santillana, 34 is charged with two offences, for a total of 38 drug and firearms-related criminal charges.
The EPS takes a strategic approach to drug and organized crime related violence through its Guns and Gangs Strategy. This plan considers the unique factors driving serious crime in the city, identifying key focus areas that require increased and sustained effort to reduce victimization and improve community safety.
The strategy leverages EPS’ internal expertise and external partnerships with other enforcement and social agencies to strike a balance between education, suppression, intervention, and prevention. It encompasses immediate and long-term solutions that both hold those perpetrating violence accountable and lead willing individuals away from gang association.
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