Four people are facing charges in connection with two separate drug trafficking investigations that began last year, both of which targeted Edmonton Institution, a men’s maximum-security prison. In May 2025, Correctional Service Canada discovered a “plan to introduce drugs and other contraband into the Edmonton Institution,” Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said in a news release. Investigators learned the suspects had agreed to use an inmate to traffic drugs via drone. Two people in a rental vehicle came to the prison that same month. Staff searching the vehicle found about 328 grams of meth and 180 grams of cannabis resin packaged in plastic Kinder eggs. They also seized two drones and cell phones. The drugs were valued at about $336,000. No charges were laid at the time while the investigation played out, but a 26-year-old woman and 21-year-old man were this year charged with conspiracy to commit possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking in connection with the case. A 31-year-old inmate was also charged with conspiracy to commit possession for the purpose of trafficking and party to the offence of possession for the purpose of trafficking. February 2025 investigation Months prior to the drug trafficking ring investigation, on-site staff discovered concealed drugs inside electronic items being mailed to an inmate at Edmonton Institution. Police seized 93 grams of meth, 46 grams of cannabis resin, nicotine patches, mini cell phones, USB drives and an SD card cumulatively valued at more than $100,000. Investigators say the sender of the package used another person’s name and address on the shipping label, but ultimately arrested a 44-year-old woman from St. Albert in February 2026. She was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, delivering contraband to an inmate and identity fraud. She was released with conditions and will appear in court at a date EPS did not provide. While EPS did not say if the two incidents were connected, the agency highlighted the importance of working with Correctional Services Canada in both to stop the spread of drugs at the prison.
